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THE 



DOCTRINES 



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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



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7 

NEW-YORK, 
PUBLISHED BY B. WAUGH AND T. MASON, 

For the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference 
Office, 14 Crosby- street. 

J. Collord, Printer. 
1832. 



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"Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1832, 
by B. Waugh and T. Mason, in the Clerk's Office of the 
District Court of the Southern District of New- York." 



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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Dearly Beloved Brethren, 

We think it expedient to give you a brief ac- 
count of the rise of Methodism, both in Europe and 
America. " In 1729. two young men, in England, 
reading the Bible, saw they could not be saved with- 
out holiness : followed after it, and incited others 
so to do. In 1737, they saw likewise, that men are 
justified before they are sanctified : but still holiness 
was their object. God then thrust them out to raise 
a holy people."* 

In the year 1766, Philip Embury, a local preacher 
of our society, from Ireland, began to preach in the 
city of New-York, and formed a society of his own 
countrymen and tlie citizens ; and the same year, 
Thomas Webty preached in a hired room near the 
barracks. About the same time, Robert Strawbridge, 
a local preacher from Ireland, settled in Frederic 
county, in the state of Maryland, and preaching 
there formed some societies. The first Methodist 
church w T as built in New-York in 1768 or 1 769 ; and 
in 1769 Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor 
came to New- York ; who were the first regular 
Methodist preachers on the continent. In the latter 
end of the year 1771, Francis Asbury and Richard 
Wright, of the same order, came over. 

We believe that God's design in raising up the 
pieachers called Methodists, in America, was to 
* These are the words of Messrs. Wesley* themselves. 



IV ADDRESS, ETC 

reform the continent, and spread Scripture holiness 
over these lands. As a proof hereof, we have seen 
since that time, a great and glorious work of God, 
from New-York through the Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South 
Carolina, and Georgia ; as also of late, to the ex 
tremities of the western and eastern states. 

We esteem it our duty and privilege most ear- 
nestly to recommend to you, as members of our 
church, our form of discipline, which has been 
founded on the experience of along series of years : 
as also on the observations and remarks we have 
made on ancient and modern churches. 

We wish to see this little publication in the house 
of every Methodist ; and the more so, as it contains 
the articles of religion maintained more or less, in 
part or in whole, by every reformed church in the 
world. 

Far from washing }^ou to be ignorant of any of our 
doctrines, or any part of our discipline, we desire 
you to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the 
whole. You ought, next to the word of God, to pro- 
cure the Articles and Canons of the Church to 
which you belong. — This present edition is small 
and cheap, and we can assure you that the profits of 
the sale of it shall be applied to charitable purposes. 
We remain your very affectionate brethren and 
pastors, who labour night and day, both in public 
and in private, for your good. 

WILLIAM M'KENDREE, 
ROBERT R. ROBERTS, 
JOSHUA SOULE, 
ELIJAH HEDDING, 
JAIUES O. ANDREW, 
JOHN EMORY. 



THE 



DOCTRINES AND DISCIPLINE 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



CHAPTER I. 



Of the Origin of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
The preachers and members of our society 
in general, being convinced that there was a 
great deficiency of vital religion in the church 
of England in America, and being in many 
places destitute of the Christian sacraments, 
as several of the clergy had forsaken their 
churches, requested the late Rev. John Wes- 
ley to take such measures, in his wisdom and 
prudence, as would afford them suitable relief 
in their distress. 

In consequence of this, our venerable 
friend, who, under God, had been the 
father of the great revival of religion now 
extending over the earth, by the means of 
the Methodists, determined to ordain minis- 
ters for America ; and for this purpose, in the 



6 Origin of Methodism. Ch. 1. 

year 1784, sent over three regularly ordained 
clergy : but preferring the episcopal mode of 
church government to any other, he solemnly 
set apart, by the imposition of his hands and 
prayer, one of them, viz. Thomas Coke, Doc- 
tor of Civil Law, late of Jesus College, in the 
University of Oxford, and a Presbyter of the 
Church of England, ft>r the episcopal office ; 
and having delivered to him letters of episco- 
pal orders, commissioned and directed him to 
set apart Francis Asbury, then general assist- 
ant of the Methodist society in America, for 
the same episcopal office ; he, the said Fran- 
cis Asbury, being first ordained deacon and 
elder. In consequence of which, the said 
Francis Ashury was solemnly set apart for 
the said episcopal office by prayer, and the 
imposition of the hands of the said Thomas 
Coke, other regularly ordained ministers as- 
sisting in the sacred ceremony. At which 
time the General Conference, held at Bal- 
timore, did unanimously receive the said 
Thomas Ccke and Francis Asbury, as their 
bishops, being fully satisfied of the validity of 
their episcopal ordination. 



Sec. 2. Articles of Religion. 1 

SECTION II. 

ARTICLES OF RELIGION, 

I. Qf Faith in the Holy Trinity. 

There is but one living and true God, 
everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite 
power, wisdom, and goodness : the maker 
and preserver of all things, \isible and invi- 
sible. — And in unity of this Godhead, there 
are three persons of one substance, power, 
and eternity ; — the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost. 

II. Of the Word, or Son of God, icho was made 
very Man. 

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, 
the very and eternal God, of one substance 
with the Father, took man's nature in the 
womb of the blessed Virgin ; so that two 
whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the 
Godhead and manhood, were joined toge- 
ther in one person, never to be divided, 
whereof is one Christ, very God and very 
man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead 
and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, 
and to be a sacrifice, not only for original 
guilt, but also for actual sins of men. 



8 Articles of Religion. Ch. 1 

III. Of the Resurrection of Christ. 

Christ did truly rise again from the dead, 
and took again his body, with all things ap- 
pertaining to the perfection of man's nature, 
wherewith he ascended into heaven, and 
there sitteth until he return to judge all men 
at the last day. 

IV. Of the Holy Ghost. 

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the 
Father and the Son, is of one substance, 
majesty, and glory, with the Father and the 
Son, very and eternal God. 

V. The sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for 
Salvation. 

The Holy Scriptures contain alj things 
necessary to salvation : so that whatsoever 
is not read therein, nor may be proved 
thereby, is not to be required of any man, 
that it should be believed as an article of 
faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to 
salvation. In the name of the Holy Scrip- 
ture, we do understand those canonical books 
of the Old and New Testament, of whose 
authority was never any doubt in the church. 



Sec. 2. Articles of Religion. 9 

77* e names of the Canonical Boohs. 

Genesis 

Exodus, 

Leviticus, 

Numbers, 

Deuteronomy, 

Joshua, 

Judges, 

Ruth, 

The First Book of Samuel, 

The Second Book of Samuel, 

The First Book of Kings, 

The Second Book of Kings, 

The First Book of Chronicles, 

The Second Book of Chronicles, • 

The Book of Ezra, 

The Book of Nehemiah, 

The Book of Esther, 

The Book of Job, 

The Psalms, 

The Proverbs, 

Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, 

Cantica, or Songs of Solomon, 

Four Prophets the greater, 

Twelve Prophets the less : 
Axl the Books of the New Testament, as they 
are commonly received, we do receive and 
account canonical. 



10 Articles of Religion. Ch. 1« 

VI. Of the Old Testament. 

The Old Testament is not contrary to 
the New ; for both in the Old and New 
Testament, everlasting life is offered to 
mankind by Christ, who is the only Me- 
diator between God and man, being both 
God and man. Wherefore they are not 
to be heard, who feign that the old fathers 
did look only for transitory promises. Al 
though the law given from God by Moses, 
as touching ceremonies and rights, doth not 
bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts 
thereof of necessity be received in any com- 
monwealth ; yet, notwithstanding, no Chris- 
tian whatsoever is free from the obedience of 
the commandments which are called moral. 

VII. Of Original or Birth Sin. 
Original sin standeth not in the following 
of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk,) 
but it is the corruption of the nature of every 
man, that naturally is engendered of the off- 
spring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone 
from original righteousness, and of his own 
nature inclined to evil, and that continually. 

VIII. Of Free Will. 

The condition of man after the fall of 
Adam is such, that he cannot turn and pre- 
pare himself, by his own natural strength and 



Sec. 2. Articles of Religion 11 

works, to faith, and calling upon God ; where- 
fore we have no power to do good works, 
pleasant and acceptable to God, without the 
grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we 
may have a good will, and working with us, 
when we have that good will. 

IX. Of the Justification of Man. 
We are accounted righteous before God, 
only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own 
works or deservings : — Wherefore, that we 
are justified by faith only, is a most whole- 
some doctrine, and very full of comfort. 

X. Of Good Works. 

Although good works, which are the fruits 
of faith, and follow after justification, cannot 
put away our sins, and endure the severity of 
God's judgments : yet are they pleasing and 
acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out 
of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by 
them a lively faith may be as evidently known, 
as a tree is discerned by its fruit. 

XI. Of Works of Supererogation. 

Voluntary works, besides over and above 
God's commandments, which are called works 
of supererogation, cannot be taught without 
arrogancy and impiety. For by them men 



12 Articles of Religion. Ch. 1. 

do declare that they do not only render unto 
God as much as they are bound to do, but 
that they do more for his sake than of bounden 
duty is required : whereas Christ saith plain- 
ly, When ye have done all that is commanded 
you, say, We are unprofitable servants. 

XII. Of Sin after Justification. 

Not every sin willingly committed after 
justification, is the sin against the Holy 
Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the 
grant of repentance is not to be denied to 
such as fall into sin after justification: after 
we have received the Holy Ghost, we may 
depart from grace given, and fall into sin, 
and by the grace of God, rise again and 
amend our lives. And therefore they are to 
be condemned, who say they can no more 
sin as long as they live here : or deny the 
place of forgiveness to such as truly repent. 

, XIII. Of the Church. 

The visible Church of Christ is a congre- 
gation of faithful men, in which the pure word 
of God is preached, and the sacraments duly 
administered according to Christ's ordinance 
in all those things that of necessity are requi- 
site to the same. 



Soc. 2. Articles of Religion. 13 

XIV. Of Purgatory. 

The Romish doctrine concerning purga- 
tory, pardon, worshipping, and adoration, as 
well of images as of relics, and also invoca- 
tion of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, 
and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, 
but repugnant to the word of God. 

XV. Of speaking in the congregation in such a 
Tongue as the People understand., 

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word 
of God, and the custom of the primitive 
church, to have public prayer in the church, 
or to minister the sacraments, in a tongue not 
understood by the people. 

XVI. Of the Sacraments. 
Sacraments ordained of Christ, are not 
only badges or tokens of Christian men's 
profession ; but rather they are certain signs 
of grace, and God's good will towards us, by 
the which he doth work invisibly in us, and 
doth not only quicken, but also strengthen 
and confirm our faith in him. 

There are two sacraments ordained of 
Christ our Lord in the Gospel ; that is to say, 
Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. 

Those five commonly called sacraments ; 
that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Or- 



14 Articles of Religion. Ch. 1 

ders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are 
not to be counted for sacraments of the Gos- 
pel, being such as have partly grown out of 
the corrupt following of the apostles : and 
partly are states of life allowed in the Scrip- 
tures, but yet have not the like nature of 
Baptism and the Lord's Supper, because they 
have not any visible sign, or ceremony or- 
dained of God. 

The sacraments were not ordained of 
Christ to be gazed upoo, or to be carried 
about ; but that we should duly use them. 
And in such only as worthily receive the 
same, they have a wholesome effect or opera- 
tion : but they that receive them unworthily, 
purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. 
Paul saith, 1 Cor. xi, 29. 

XVII. Of Baptism. 

Baptism is not only a ^ign of profession, 
and mark of difference, whereby Christians 
are distinguished from others that are not 
baptized : but it is also a sign of regenera- 
tion, or the new birth. The baptism of 
young children is to be retained in the 
church. 

XVIII. Of The Lord's Supper, 

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign 
that Christians ought to have among them- 



Sec. 2. Articles of Religion. 15 

selves one to another, but rather is a sacra- 
ment of our redemption by Christ's death : 
insomuch, that to such as rightly, worthily, 
and with faith receive the same, the bread 
which we break is a partaking of the body of 
Christ ; and likewise the cup of blessing is 
a partaking of the blood of Christ. 

Transub-stantiation, or the change of the 
substance of bread and wine in the Supper 
of our Lord, cannot be proved by Holy 
Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words 
of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a 
sacrament, and hath given occasion to many 
superstitions. 

The body of Christ is given, taken, and 
eaten in the Supper, only after a heavenly and 
Scriptural manner. And the means whereby 
the body of Christ is received and eaten in 
the Supper, is faith. 

The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was 
not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried 
about, lifted up, or worshipped. 

XIX. Of both kinds. 

The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to 
the lay people : for both the parts of the Lord's 
Supper, by Christ's ordinance and command- 
ment, ought to be administered to all Chris- 
tians alike. 



16 Articles of Religion. Ch. 1 

XX. Of the one oblation of Christ, finished upon 
the cross 

The offering of Christ once made, is that 
perfect redemption, propitiation, and satis- 
faction for all the sins of the whole world, both 
original and actual : and there is none other 
satisfaction for sin but that alone. Where- 
fore the sacrifice of masses, in the which it 
is commonly said, that the priest doth offer 
Christ for the quick and the dead, to have 
remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous 
fable, and dangerous deceit. 

XXI. Of the Marriage of Ministers. 

The ministers of Christ are not command- 
ed by God's law either to vow the estate of 
single life, or to abstain from marriage ; 
therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other 
Christians, to marry at their own discretion, 
as they shall judge the same to serve best to 
godliness. 

XXII. Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches 

It is not necessary that rites and ceremo- 
nies should in all places be the same, or ex- 
actly alike : for they have been always differ- 
ent, and may be changed according to the 
diversity of countries, times, and men's man- 



Sec. 2. Articles of Religion. 17 

ners, so that nothing be ordained against 
God's word. — Whosoever, through his pri- 
vate judgment, willingly and purposely doth 
openly break the rites and ceremonies of the 
church to which he belongs, which are not 
repugnant to the word of God, and are or- 
dained and approved by common authority, 
ought to be rebuked openly, that others may 
fear to do the like, as one that offendeth 
against the common order of the church, and 
woundeth the consciences of weak brethren. 
Every particular Church may ordain, 
change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so 
that all things may be done to edification. 

XXIII. Of the Rulers of the United States of 
America. 

The president, the congress, the general 
assemblies, the governors, and the councils 
of state, as the delegates of the people, are the 
rulers of the United States of America, ac- 
cording to the division of power made to 
them by the constitution of the United 
States, and by the constitutions of their 
respective states. And the said states are 
a sovereign and independent nation, and 
ought not to be subject to any foreign juris- 
diction.* 

* As far as it respects civil affairs, we believe it 
the duty of Christians, and especially all Christian 
2 



18 Articles of Religion, Ch. 1. 



XXIV. Of Christian Men's Goods. 

The riches and goods of Christians are 
not common, as touching the right, title, 
and possession of the same, as some do 
falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man 
ought, of such things as he possesseth, 
liberally to give alms to the poor, according 
to his ability. 

XXV. Of a Christian Man's Oath. 

As we confess that vain and rash swear- 
ing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord 
Jesus Christ and James his apostle; so we 
judge that the Christian religion doth not 
prohibit, but that a man may swear when 
the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith 
and charity, so it be done according to the 
prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and 
truth. 

ministers, to be subject to the supreme authority of 
the country where they may reside, and to use all 
laudable means to enjoin obedience to the powers 
that be ; and therefore K is expected that all our 
preachers and people, who may be under the British, 
or any other government, will behave themselves as 
peaceable and orderly subjects. 



Sec. 3. General Conference. 19 

SECTION III. 

Of the General and Annual Conferences. 

It is desired that all things be considered 
on these occasions, as in the immediate pre- 
sence of God : that every person speak freely 
whatever is in his heart. 

Quest, 1. How may we best improve our 
time at the conferences ? 

Answ. 1. While we are conversing, let us 
have an especial care to set God always r e- 
fore us. 

2. In the intermediate hours, let us redeem 
all the time we can for private exercises. 

3. Therein let us give ourselves to prayer 
for one another and for a blessing on our 
labour. 

Of the General Conference. 

Quest. 2. Who shall compose the General 
Conference, and what are the regulations and 
powers belonging to it ? 

Answ. 1. The General Conference shall 
be composed of one member for every seven 
members of each Annual Conference, to be 
appointed either by seniority or choice, at the 
discretion of such annual conference : yet so 
that such representatives shall have travelled 
at least four full calendar years from the time 



20 General Conference. Ch. 1. 

that they were received on trial by an annual 
conference, and are in full connexion at the 
time of holding the conference. 

2. The General conference shall meet on 
the first day of May, in the year of our Lord 
1812, in the city of New- York, and thence- 
forward on the first day of May once in four 
years perpetually, in such place or places 
as shall be fixed on by the General Confer- 
ence from time to time : but the general 
Superintendents, with or by the advice of all 
the annual conferences, or if there be no 
general Superintendent, all the annual con- 
ferences respectively shall have power to call 
a General Conference, if they judge it neces- 
sary, at any time. 

3. At all times when the General Con- 
ference is met, it shall take two thirds of 
the representatives of all the annual con- 
ferences to make a quorum for transacting 
business. 

4. One of the general Superintendents 
shall preside in the General Conference ; but 
in case no general Superintendent be present, 
the General Conference shall choose a presi- 
dent pro tempore. 

5. The General Conference shall have full 
powers to make rules and regulations for our 
Church, under the following limitations and 
restrictions, viz. 



Sec. 3. General Conference. 21 

1. The General Conference shall not re- 
voke, alter, or change our articles of 
religion, nor establish any new standards 
or rules of doctrine contrary to our pre- 
sent existing and established standards of 
doctrine. 

2. They shall not allow of more than one 
representative for every five members of 
the annual conference, nor allow of a less 
number than one for every seven. 

3. They shall not change or alter any part or 
rule of our government, so as to do away 
Episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our 
itinerant general superintendency. 

4. They shall not revoke or change the gene- 
ral rules of the United Societies. 

5. They shall not do away the privileges of 
our ministers or preachers of trial by a 
committee, and of an appeal : neither shall 
they do away the privileges of our members 
of trial before the society, or by a com- 
mittee, and of an appeal. 

6. They shall not appropriate the produce of 
the Book Concern, nor of the Charter 
Fund, to any purpose other than for the 
benefit of the travelling, supernumerary, 
superannuated 'and worn out preachers, 
their wives, widows, and children. Pro- 
vided, nevertheless, that upon the con- 
current recommendation of three-fourths 



22 Annual Conferences. Ch. 1 

of all the members of the several annual 
conferences, who shall be present and vote 
on such recommendation, then a majority 
of two-thirds of the general conference 
succeeding shall suffice to alter any of the 
above restrictions, excepting the first arti- 
cle : and also, whenever such alteration or 
alterations shall have been first recom- 
mended by two-thirds of the general con- 
ference, so soon as three-fourths of the 
members of ail the annual conferences 
shall have concurred as aforesaid, such 
alteration or alterations shall take effect. 

Of the Annual Conferences. 
Quest. 3. Who shall attend the yearly 

conferences 1 

Answ. All the travelling preachers who 

are in full connexion, and those who are to 

be received into full connexion. 

Quest. 4. Who shall appoint the times of 

holding the yearly conferences 1 

Answ. The bishops ; but they shall allow 

the annual conferences to sit a week at least. 
Quest. 5. Who shall appoint the places of 

holding the annual conferences ? 

Answ. Each annual conference shall ap- 
point the place of its own sitting. 

Quest. 6. What is the method wherein we 

usually proceed in the yearly conferences ? 
Answ. We inquire, 



Se£. 3. Annual Conferences. 23 

1 . What preachers are admitted on trial ? 

2. Who remain on trial ? 

3. Who are admitted into full connexion ? 

4. Who are the Deacons ? 

5. Who have been elected and ordained 
Elders this year 1 

6. Who have been elected, by the suffrages 
of the general conference, to exercise the 
episcopal office, and superintend the Me- 
thodist Episcopal Church in America'? 

7. Who have located this year ? 

8. Who are the supernumeraries ?* 

9. Who are the superannuated or worn out 
preachers ? 

Every superannuated preacher, who may 
reside without the bounds of the conference 
of which he is a member, shall annually for- 
ward to his conference a certificate of his 
Christian and ministerial conduct, together 
with an account of the number and circum- 
stances of his family, signed by the presiding 
elder of the district, or the preacher in charge 
of the circuit or station within whose bounds 
he may reside ; without which, the confer- 
ence shall not be required to allow his claim. 

* A supernumerary preacher is one so worn out in 
the itinerant service as to be rendered incapable of 
preaching constantly ; but at the same time is willing 
to do any work in the ministry, which the conference 
may direct, and his strength enable him to perform. 



24 Annual Conferences. Ch. 1. 

10. Who have been expelled from the con- 
nexion this year? 

11. Who have withdrawn from the connexion 
this year? 

12. Are all the preachers blameless in life 
and conversation ? 

13. Who have died this year? 

14. What numbers are in society? 

15. What amounts are necessary for the su- 
perannuated preachers, and the'widows and 
orphans of preachers, and to make up the 
deficiencies of those who have not obtained 
their regular allowance on the circuits ? 

16. What has been collected on the foregoing 
accounts, and how has it been applied ? 

17. What has been contributed for the sup- 
port of missions, and what for the publica- 
tion of Bibles, tracts, and Sunday school 
books ? 

18. Where are the preachers stationed this 
year ? 

19. Where and when shall our next confer- 
ence be held ? 

Quest. 7. Is there any other business to 
be done in the yearly conferences 1 

JLnsw. The electing and ordaining of dea- 
cons and elders. 

Quest. 8. Are there any other directions 
to be given concerning the yearly confer- 
ences ? 



Sec. 4. Bishops and their duty. 25 

Jlnsw. There shall be twenty-two confer- 
ences in the year. See Second Part, Sect. 1. 

A record of the proceedings of each an- 
nual conference shall be kept by a secretary, 
chosen for that purpose, and shall be signed 
by the president and secretary ; and let a 
copy of the said record be sent to the general 
conference. 



SECTION IV. 

Of the Election and Consecration of Bishops, and of 
their Duty. 

Quest. 1. How is a bishop to be consti- 
tuted J 

Jlnsw. By the election of the general con- 
ference, and the laying on of the hands of 
three bishops, or at least of one bishop and 
two elders. 

Quest. 2. If by death, expulsion, or other- 
wise, there be no bishop remaining in our 
Church, what shall we do ? 

JLnsw. The general conference shall elect 
a bishop ; and the elders, or any three of them, 
who shall be appointed by the general con- 
ference for that purpose, shall ordain him 
according to our form of ordination. 

Quest. 3. What are the duties of a bishop ? 

Jlnsw . 1. To preside in our conferences. 

2. To fix the appointments of the preachers 
for the several circuits, provided he shall not 



26 Bishops and their duty. Ch. 1. 

allow any preacher to remain in the same 
station more than two years successively ; 
except the presiding elders, the general editor, 
the general book steward and his assistant, 
the editor and assistant editor of the Chris- 
tian Advocate and Journal, the supernume- 
rary, superannuated and worn out preachers, 
missionaries among the Indians, missionaries 
to our people of colour and on foreign sta- 
tions, those preachers that may be appointed 
to labour for the special benefit of seamen, 
also the preacher or preachers that may be 
stationed in the city of New Orleans, and the 
presidents, principals, or teachers of semina- 
ries of learning, which are or may be under 
our superintendence ; and also, when re- 
quested by an annual conference, to appoint 
a preacher for a longer time than two years 
to any seminary of learning not under our 
care. 

3. In the intervals of the conferences, to 
change, receive, and suspend preachers, as 
necessity may require, and as the discipline 
directs. 

4. To travel through the connexion at large. 

5. To oversee the spiritual and temporal 
business of our Church. 

6. To ordain bishops, elders, and deacons. 
Quest. 4. To whom is a bishop amenable 

for his conduct ? 



Sec. 4. Bishops and their duly. 27 

J&nsw. To the general conference, who 
have power to expel him for improper con- 
duct, if they see it necessary. 

Quest. 5. What provision shall be made 
for the trial of a bishop, if he should be 
accused of immorality in the interval of the 
general conference ? 

Ansiv. If a bishop be accused of immo- 
rality, three travelling elders shall call upon 
him, and examine him on the subject ; and 
if the three elders verily believe that the bishop 
is guilty of the crime, they shall call to their 
aid two presiding elders, from two districts in 
the neighbourhood of that where the crime 
was committed, each of which presiding 
elders shall bring with him two elders, or an 
elder and a deacon. The above mentioned 
nine persons shall form a conference, to ex- 
amine into the charge brought against the 
bishop : and if two-thirds of them verily be- 
lieve him to be guilty of the crime laid to his 
charge, they shall have authority to suspend 
the bishop till the ensuing general conference, 
and the districts shall be regulated in the mean 
time as is provided in the third and fifth sec- 
tions ; but no accusation shall be received 
against a bishop except it be delivered in 
writing signed by those who are to prove the 
ciime : and a copy of the accusation shall 
be given to the accused bishop. 



28 Presiding Elders, Ch. 1. 

Quest 6. If a bishop cease from travelling 
at large among the people, shall he still ex- 
ercise his episcopal office among us in any 
degree ? 

Answ. If he cease from travelling without 
the consent of the general conference, he 
shall not thereafter exercise the episcopal 
office in our Church. 



section v. 
Of the Presiding Elders, and of their Duty. 
Quest. 1. By whom are the presiding 
elders to be chosen ? 
Ansiv. By the bishops. 
Quest. 2. What are the duties of a pre- 
siding elder ? 

Answ. I. To travel through his appointed 
district. 

2. In the absence of the bishop, to take 
charge of all the elders, and deacons, travel- 
ling and local preachers, and exhorters in his 
district. 

3. To change, receive, and suspend 
preachers in his district during the intervals 
of the conferences, and in the absence of the 
bishop, as the Discipline directs. 

4. In the absence of a bishop, to preside 
in the conference ; but in case there are two 
or more presiding elders belonging to one 



Sec. 5. Presiding Elders. 29 

conference, the bishop or bishops may by 
letter or otherwise appoint the president; but 
if no appointment be made, or if the presiding 
elder appointed do not attend, the conference 
shall in either of these cases elect the presi- 
dent by ballot, without a debate, from among 
the presiding elders. 

5. To be present, as far as practicable, at 
all the quarterly meetings ; and to call to- 
gether at each quarterly meeting, a quarterly 
meeting conference, consisting of all the 
travelling and local preachers, exhorters, 
stewards, and leaders of the circuit, and none 
else, to hear complaints, and to receive and 
try appeals. The quarterly meeting confer- 
ence shall appoint a secretary to take down the 
proceedings thereof, in a book kept by one of 
the stewards of the circuit for that purpose. 

6. To oversee the spiritual and temporal 
business of the Church in his district, and 
to promote by all proper means, the cause of 
missions and Sunday schools, and the publi- 
cation, at our own press, of Bibles, tracts, 
and Sunday school books. 

7. To take care that every part of our 
discipline be enforced in his district. 

8. To attend the bishops when present in 
his district ; and to give them, when absent, 
all necessary information, by letter, of the 
state of his district, 



SO Presiding Elders. Ch. 1. 

Quest. 3. By whom are the presiding elders 
to be stationed and changed ? 

Answ. By the bishops.- 

Quest. 4. How long may the bishops allow 
an elder to preside in the same district? 

Answ. For any term not exceeding four 
years successively. 

Quest. 5. Shall the presiding elder have 
power to employ a preacher who has been 
rejected at the previous annual conference ? 

Answ. He shall not, unless the conference 
should give him liberty under certain condi 
tions. 

Quest. 6. How shall the presiding elders 
be supported ? 

Answ. 1£ there be a surplus of the public 
money in one or more circuits in his district, 
he shall receive such surplus ; provided, he 
do not receive more than his annual allow 
ance. In case of a deficiency in his allow- 
ance, after such surplus is paid him, or if 
there be no surplus, he shall share with the 
preachers of his district in proportion with 
what they have respectively received, so that 
he receives no more than the amount of his 
allowance upon the whole : he shall be ac- 
countable to the annual conference, for what 
he xeceives as his allowance. 



Sec. 6. Travelling- Elders. 31 



SECTION VI. 

Of the Election and Ordination of travelling Elders, 
and of their Duty. 

Quest. 1. How is an elder constituted ? 

Ansio. By the election of a majority of the 
yearly conference and by the laying on of the 
hards of a bishop, and some of the elders 
that are present. 

Quest. 2. What is the duty of a travelling 
elder ? 

Answ. 1. To administer baptism and the 
Lord's Supper, and to perform the office of 
matrimony, and all parts of divine worship. 

2. To do all the duties of a travelling 
preacher. 

No elder that ceases to travel, without the 
consent of the yearly conference, certified 
under the hand of the president of the con- 
ference, except in case of sickness, debility, 
or other unavoidable circumstance, shall, on 
any account, exercise the peculiar functions 
of his office, or even be allowed to preach 
among us: nevertheless the final determina- 
tion in all such cases is with the yearly con- 
ference. 



32 Travelling Deacons. Ch. 1. 



SECTION VII. 

Of the Election and Ordination of Travelling Deo* 
cons, and of their Duty. 

Quest. 1. How is a travelling deacon con- 
stituted ? 

Ansio. By the election of the majority of 
the yearly conference, and the laying on of 
the hands of a bishop. 

Quest. 2. What is the duty of a travelling 
deacon 1 

Answ. 1. To baptize, and perform the office 
of matrimony, in the absence of the elder. 

2. To assist the elder in administering the 
Lord's Supper. 

3. To do all the duties of a travelling 
preacher. 

Quest. 3. What shall be the time of pro- 
bation of a travelling deacon for the office of 
an elder. 

Answ. Every travelling deacon shall ex- 
ercise that office for two years, before he be 
eligible to the office of elder ; except in the 
case of missions, when the annual confer- 
ences shall have authority to elect for the 
elder's office sooner, if they judge it expe- 
dient. 

No deacon who ceases to travel with- 
out the consent of the annual conference, 
certified under the hand of the president 



Sec. 6. Receiving Preachers. 33 

of the conference, except in case of sickness, 
debility, or other unavoidable circumstances, 
shall, on any account, exercise the peculiar 
functions of his office, or even be allowed to 
preach among us : nevertheless, the final 
determination in all such case3 is with the 
annual conference. 

Provided always, that when a preacher 
shall have passed his examination, and been 
admitted into full connexion, and elected to 
deacon's office, but fails of his ordination 
through the absence of the bishop, his eligi- 
bility to the office of elder shall run from the 
time of his election to the office of a deacon. 



SECTION VIII. 

Of the Method of receiving travelling Preachers, 
and of their Duty. 

Quest. 1. How is a preacher to be received? 
Answ. 1. By the annual conference. 

2. In the interval of the conference, by a 
bishop, or the presiding elder of the district, 
until the sitting of the conference. 

3. It shall be the duty of the bishops, or of 
a committee which they may appoint at each 
annual conference, to point out a course of 
reading and study proper to be pursued by 
candidates for the ministry: and the presiding 
elder, whenever such are presented to him, 

3 



34 Receiving Preachers, Ch. 1. 

shall direct them to those studies which have 
been thus recommended. And before any 
such candidate is received into full connexion, 
he shall give satisfactory evidence respecting 
his knowledge of those particular subjects, 
which have been recommended to his consi- 
deration. 

4, When a preacher's name is not printed 
in the minutes, he must receive a written 
license from a bishop or presiding elder. 

Quest. 2. What is the duty of a preacher? 

Jlnsw. 1. To preach. 

2. To meet the societies, classes, and 
general bands. 

3. To visit the sick. 

4. To preach in the morning, where he 
can get hearers. We recommend morning 
preaching at five o'clock in the summer, and 
six in the winter, wherever it is practicable. 

Quest. 3. What are the directions given to 
a preacher ? 

Jlnsw. 1. Be diligent. Never be unem- 
ployed : never be triflingly employed. Never 
trifle away time; neither spend any more 
time at any place than is strictly necessary. 

2. Be serious. Let your motto be Holi- 
ness to the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jest- 
ing, and foolish talking. 

3. Converse sparingly, and conduct your- 
selves prudently with women. 1 Tim. v, 2. 



Sec. 8. and their duty. 35 

4. Take no step toward marriage without 
first consulting with your brethren. 

5. Believe evil of no one without good 
evidence ; unless you see it done, take heed 
how you credit it. Put the best construction 
on e very thing. You kn o w the j udge is always 
supposed to be on the prisoner's side. 

6. Speak evil of no one; because your word, 
especially, would eat as doth a canker. Keep 
your thoughts within your own breast, till you 
come to the person concerned. 

7. Tell every one under your care what you 
think wrong in his conduct and temper, and 
that lovingly and plainly as soon as may be : 
else it will fester in your heart. Make all 
haste to cast the fire out of your bosom. 

8. Avoid all affectation. A preacher oi 
the Gospel is the servant of all. 

9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin. 

10. Be punctual. Do every thing exactly at 
the time. And do not mend our rules, but keep 
them ; not for wrath but conscience' sake. 

11. You have nothing to do but to save 
souls : therefore spend and be spent in this 
work ; and go always not only to those that 
want you, but to those that want you most. 

Observe ! it is not your business only 
to preach so many times, and to take care 
of this or that society ; but to save as many 
as you can ; to bring as many sinners as 



36 Receiving Preachers, Ch. 1. 

you can to repentance, and with all your 
power to build them up in that holiness, 
without which they cannot see the Lord. 
And remember ! — a Methodist preacher is 
to mind every point, great and small, in the 
Methodist discipline ! Therefore you will 
need to exercise all the sense and grace you 
have. 

12. Act in all things not according to 
your own will, but as a son in the gospel. 
As such, it is your duty to employ your 
time in the manner which we direct : in 
preaching, and visiting from house to house ; 
in reading, meditation and prayer. Above 
all, if you labour with us in the Lord's vine- 
yard, it is needful you should do that part 
of the work which we advise, at those times 
and places which we judge most for his 
glory. 

Q,uest. 4. What method do we use in re- 
ceiving a preacher at the conference ! 

Answ. After solemn fasting and prayer, 
every person proposed shall then be asked, 
before the conference, the following ques- 
tions, (with any others which may be 
thougnt necessary,) viz. — Have you faith 
in Christ? Are you going on to perfec- 
tion ? Do you expect to be made perfect in 
love in this life ? Are you groaning after 
it 1 Are you resolved to devote yourself 



Sec. 8. and their duty. 37 

wholly to God and his work ? Do you 
know the rules of society ? — of the bands ? 
Do you keep them ? Do you constantly 
attend the sacrament ? Have you read the 
form of discipline ? Are you willing to con- 
form to it? Have you considered the rules 
of a preacher, especially the first, tenth, and 
twelfth ? Will you keep them for con- 
science 5 s^ke? Are you determined to em- 
ploy all your time in the work of God 1 Will 
you endeavour not to speak too long or too 
loud ? Will you diligently instruct the chil- 
dren in every place ? Will you visit from 
house to house ? Will you recommend fast- 
ing or abstinence, both by precept and ex- 
ample ? Are you in debt? 

We may then, if he give us satisfaction, 
receive him as a probationer, by giving him 
the form of discipline, inscribed thus : — To 
A. B. " You think it your duty to call sin- 
7icrs to repentance. Make full proof hereof 
and we shall rejoice to receive you as a fellow 
labourer." Let him then carefully read and 
weigh what is contained therein ; and if he 
have any doubt, it may be removed. Ob- 
serve ! taking on trial is entirely different 
from admitting a preacher into full connexion. 
One on trial may be either admitted or re- 
jected, without doing him any wrong : — 
otherwise it would be no trial at all. Lei 



38 Receiving Preachers Ch. 1. 

every one that has the charge of a circuit 
explain this to those who are on trial, as 
well as to those who are in future to be pro- 
posed for trial. 

But no one shall be received on trial un- 
less he first procure a recommendation from 
the quarterly meeting of his circuit. After 
two years probation, which is to commence 
from his being received on trial at the an- 
nual conference, and being approved by the 
annual conference, and examined by the 
president of the conference, he may be re- 
ceived into full connexion, by giving him 
the form of discipline, inscribed thus : — 
" As long as you freely consent to, and ear- 
nestly endeavour to walk by these rules, we 
shall rejoice to acknowledge you as a felloio 
labourer y 

If any preacher absent himself from his 
circuit without the leave of the presiding 
elder, the presiding elder shall, as far as pos- 
sible, fill his place with another preacher, 
who shall be paid for his labours out of the 
allowance of the absent preacher, in propor- 
tion to the usual allowance. 



* 



Sec. 9. Duties of Preachers. 39 



SECTION IX. 

Of the Duties of those icho have the charge of 
Circuits. 

Quest. 1. What are the duties of the elder, 
deacon, or preacher, who has the special 
charge of a circuit 1 

Answ. 1. To see that the other preach- 
ers in his circuit behave well, and want no- 
thing. 

2. To renew the tickets for the admission 
of members into love feast quarterly, and 
regulate the bands. 

3. To meet the stewards and leaders as 
often as possible. 

4. To appoint all the leaders, and change 
them when he sees it necessary. 

5. To receive, try, and expel members^ 
according to the form of discipline. 

6. To hold watch nights and love feasts. 

7. To hold quarterly meetings in the ab- 
sence of the presiding elder. 

8. To take care that every society be duly 
supplied with books. 

9. To take an exact account of the num- 
bers in society in their respective circuits, 
and deliver in such account to the annual 
conference, that they mav be printed in the 
minutes. 



40 Duties of those who Ch. 1. 

10. To give an account of his circuit every 
quarter to his presiding elder. 

11. To meet the men and women apart, 
in the large societies, once a quarter, when- 
ever it is practicable. 

12. To overlook the accounts of all the 
stewards. 

13. To appoint a person to receive the 
quarterly collection in the classes, 

14. To see that public collections be made 
quarterly, if need be. 

15. To encourage the support of missions 
and Sunday schools, and the publication and 
distribution of Bibles, tracts, and Sunday 
school books, by forming societies and 
making collections for these objects in such 
way and manner as the annual conference to 
which he belongs shall from time to time 
direct. 

16. To lay before the quarterly conference 
at its last meeting annually, to be entered 
on its journal, a written statement of the 
number and state of the Sunday schools in 
the circuit or station, and to report the same, 
together with the amount raised for the sup- 
port of missions, and for the publication of 
Bibles, tracts, and Sunday school books, to 
his annual conference. 

17. To raise a yearly subscription in those 
circuits that can bear it, for building churches, 



Sec. 9. have charge of Circuits. 41 

and paying the debts of those which have 
been already erected. 

18. To choose a committee of lay members 
to make a just application of the money where 
it is most wanted. 

Quest. 2. What other directions shall we 
give him ? 

Jinsw. Several. 

1. To take a regular catalogue of the 
societies in towns and cities, as they live in 
the streets. 

2. To leave his successor a particular 
account of the circuit, including an account 
of the subscribers for our periodicals. 

3. To see that every band leader have the 
rules of the bands. 

4. To enforce, vigorously, but calmly, all 
the rules of the society. 

5. As soon as there are four men or wo- 
men believers in any place, to put them into 
a band. 

6. To suffer no love feast to last above an 
hour and a half. 

7. To warn all from time to time, that 
none are to remove from one circuit to an- 
other, without a note of recommendation 
from the preacher of the circuit, in these 
words: " A. 2?., the bearer, has been an ac- 
ceptable member of our Church in C ;" and 
to inform them that, without such a certificate. 



42 Duties of those who Ch. 1. 

they will not be received into the Church in 
other places. 

8. To recommend every where decency 
and cleanliness. 

9. To read the rules of the society, with 
the aid of the other preachers, once a year in 
every congregation, and once a quarter in 
every society. 

10. On any dispute between two or more 
of the members of our Church, concern- 
ing the payment of debts, or otherwise, 
which cannot be settled by the parties con- 
cerned, the preacher who has the charge of 
the circuit shall inquire into the circum- 
stances of the case ; and shall recommend 
to the contending parties a reference, con- 
isisting of one arbiter chosen by the plaintiff, 
and another chosen by the defendant ; which 
two arbiters so chosen, shall nominate the 
third; the three arbiters being members of 
our Church. — 

But if one of the parties be dissatisfied 
with the judgment given, such party may 
apply to the ensuing quarterly meeting con- 
ference of the circuit, for allowance to have 
a second arbitration appointed ; and if the 
quarterly meeting conference see sufficient 
reason, they shall grant a second arbitration, 
in which case each party shall choose two 
arbiters, and the four arbiters shall choose 



Sec. 9. have charge of Circuits. 43 

a fifth, the judgment of the majority of whom 
shall be final ; and any person refusing to 
abide by such judgment, shall be excluded 
the Church. 

And if any member of our Church shall 
refuse, in cases of debt or other disputes, 
to refer the matter to arbitration, when re- 
commended by him who has the charge of 
the circuit, or shall enter into a lawsuit with 
another member before these measures are 
taken, he shall be expelled, unless the case 
be of such a nature, as to require and justify 
a process at law. 

The preachers who have the oversight of 
circuits, are required to execute all our rules 
fully and strenuously against all frauds, and 
particularly against dishonest insolvencies ; 
suffering none to remain in our Church on 
any account, who are found guilty of any 
fraud. 

To prevent scandal, when any of our mem- 
bers fail in business, or contract debts which 
they are not able to pay, let two or three ju- 
dicious members of the Church inspect the 
accounts, contracts, and circumstances of the 
case of the supposed delinquent ; and if he 
have behaved dishonestly, or borrowed money 
without a probability of paying, let him be 
expelled. 

Whenever a complaint is made against any 



44 Duties of those who, #c. Ch. \+ 

member of our Church, for non-payment of 
debt ; when the accounts are adjusted, and 
the amount ascertained, the preacher having 
the charge shall call the debtor before a 
committee of at least three, to show cause 
why he does not make payment. The com- 
mittee shall determine what farther time 
shall be granted him for payment, and what 
security, if any, shall be given for payment ; 
and in case the debtor refuses to comply, he 
shall be expelled ; but in such case he may 
appeal to the quarterly meeting conference, 
and their decision shall be final. And in 
case the creditor complains that justice is not 
done him, he may lay his grievance before the 
quarterly meeting conference, and their de- 
cision shall be final ; and if the creditor re- 
fuse to comply, he shall be expelled. 

11. The preacher who has the charge of 
a circuit shall appoint prayer meetings where- 
ever he can in his circuit. 

12. He shall take care that a fast be held 
in every society in his circuit, on the Friday 
preceding every quarterly meeting : and that 
a memorandum of it be written on all the 
class papers. 

13. To license such persons as he may 
judge proper to officiate as exhorters in the 
Church, provided no person shall be so 
licensed without the consent of the leaders' 



Sec. 10. Trial of those icho, $c. 45 

meeting, or of the class of which he is a 
member, where no leaders' meeting is held ; 
and the exhorters so authorized shall be sub- 
ject to the annual examination of character 
in the quarterly meeting conference, and 
have their license annually renewed by the 
presiding elder, or the preacher having the 
charge, if approved by the quarterly meeting 
conference. 



section x. 

Of the trial of those who think they are moved by the 
Holy Ghost to preach. 

Quest. How shall we try those who profess 
to be moved by the Holy Ghost to preach ? 

Answ. 1. Let the following questions be 
asked, viz. Do they know God as a pardon- 
ing God ? Have they the love of God abid- 
ing in them? Do they desire nothing but 
God? And are they holy in all manner of 
conversation ? 

2. Have they gifts (as well as grace) for 
the work? Have they (in some tolerable 
degree) a clear, sound understanding, a right 
judgment in the things of God, a just con- 
ception of salvation by faith ? And has God 
given them any degree of utterance? Do 
they speak justly, readily, clearly ? 



46 Matter and Manner Ch. 1. 

3. Have they fruit ? Are any truly con- 
vinced of sin, and converted to God, by their 
preaching ? 

As long as these three marks concur in 
any one, we believe he is called of God to 
preach. These we receive as sufficient proof 
that he is moved by the Holy Ghost. 



SECTION XI. 

Of the matter and manner of preaching, and of 
other public exercises. 

Quest. 1. What is the best general method 
of preaching 1 

Answ. 1. To convince: 2. To offer Christ: 
3. To invite : 4. To build up : And to do this 
in some measure in every sermon. 

Quest. 2. What is the most effectual way 
of preaching Christ? 

Jlnsw. The most effectual way of preach- 
ing Christ, is to preach him in all his offices ; 
and to declare his law, as well as his gospel, 
both to believers and unbelievers. Let us 
strongly and closely insist upon inward and 
outward holiness in all its branches. 

Quest. 3. Are there any smaller advices 
which might be of use to us ? 

Jlnsiv. Perhaps these: 1. Be sure never 
to disappoint a congregation. 2. Begin at 



Sec. 11. of Preaching, fyc. 47 

the time appointed. 3. Let your whole de- 
portment be serious, weighty, and solemn. 

4. Always suit your subject to your audience. 

5. Choose the plainest text you can. 6. Take 
care not to ramble, but keep to your text, 
and make out what you take in hand. 7. Take 
care of any thing awkward or affected, either 
in your gesture, phrase, or pronunciation. 
8. Do not usually pray extempore, above 
eight or ten minutes (at most) without inter- 
mission. 9. Frequently read and enlarge 
upon a portion of Scripture ; and let young 
preachers often exhort without taking a text. 
10. Always avail yourself of the great festi- 
vals, by preaching on the occasion. 



48 Duty of Preachers. Ch. 1. 

SECTION XII. 

Of the duty of Preachers to God, themselves, and 
one another. 

Quest. 1. How shall a preacher be quali- 
fied for his charge ? 

Ansio. By walking closely with God, and 
having his work greatly at heart : and by un- 
derstanding, and loving discipline, ours in 
particular. 

Quest. 2. Do we sufficiently watch over 
each other ? 

Ansiv. We do not. Should we not fre- 
quently ask each other, Do you walk closely 
with God ? Have you now fellowship with 
the Father and the Son ? At what hour do 
you rise 1 Do you punctually observe the 
morning and evening hour of retirement? Do 
you spend the day in the manner which the 
Conference advises? Do you converse se- 
riously, usefully, and closely 1 To be more 
particular : Do you use all the means of grace 
yourself, and enforce the use of them on all 
other persons ? They are either instituted or 
prudential. 

I. The instituted are, 

1. Prayer: private, family, and public; 
consisting of deprecation, petition, interces- 
sion, and thanksgiving. Do you use each 
of these ? Do you forecast daily wherever 



Sec. 12. Duty of Preachers. 49 

you are, to secure time for private devotion ? 
Do you practise it every where ? Do you 
ask every where, Have you family prayer ? 
Do you ask individuals, Do you use private 
prayer every morning and evening in par- 
ticular ? •, 

2. Searching the Scriptures, by 

(1) Reading; constantly, some part of every 
day : regularly, all the Bible in order ; care- 
fully, with notes ; seriously, with prayer be- 
fore and after : fruitfully, immediately prac- 
tising what you learn there ? 

(2) Meditating: At set times? By rule? 

(3) Hearing : Every opportunity ? With 
prayer before, at, after ? Have you a Bible 
always about you ? 

3. The Lord's Supper : Do you use this 
at every opportunity ! With solemn prayer 
before ? With earnest and deliberate self de- 
votion ? 

4. Fasting : Do you use as much absti- 
nence and fasting every week, as your health, 
strength, and labour will permit? 

5. Christian conference : Are you con- 
vinced how important and how difficult it is 
to order your conversation aright ? Is it al- 
ways in grace ? Seasoned with salt ? Meet 
to minister grace to the hearers ? Do you 
not converse too long at a time ? Is not an 
hour commonly enough ? Would it not be 

4 



50 Duty of Preachers. Ch. 1 

well always to have a determinate end in 
view ? And to pray before and after it ? 

II. Prudential means we may use either 
as Christians, as Methodists, or as preachers. 

1. As Christians: what particular rules 
have you in order to grow in grace ? What 
arts of holy living ? 

2. As Methodists : do you never miss 
your class or band ? 

3. As preachers : have you thoroughly con- 
sidered your duty? And do you make aeon- 
science of executing every part of it ? Do 
you meet every society ? Also, the leaders 
and bands ? 

These means may be used without fruit. 
But there are some means which cannot, 
namely, watching, denying ourselves, taking 
up our cross, exercise of the presence of God. 

1. Do you steadily watch against the 
world ? Yourself? Your besetting sin ? 

2. Do you deny yourself every useless 
pleasure of sense ? Imagination? Honour? 
Are you temperate in all things ? Instance 
in food : (1) Do you use only that kind and 
that degree which is best both for body and 
soul : Do you see the necessity of this 1 
(2) Do you eat no more at each meal than is 
necessary f Are you not heavy or drowsy 
after dinner ? (3) Do you use only that kind, 
and that degree of drink which is best both 



Sec. 13. Rules for preaching, tifc. 51 

for your body and soul 1 (4) Do you choose 
and use water for your common drink ? And 
only take wine medicinally or sacramentally 1 

3. Wherein do you take up your cross 
daily 1 Do you cheerfully bear your cross, 
however grievous to nature, as a gift of God, 
and labour to profit thereby 1 

4. Do you endeavour to set God always 
before you? To see his eye continually fixed 
upon you 1 Never can you use these means 
but a blessing will ensue. And the more 
you use them, the more you will grow in 
grace. 



SECTION. XIII. 

Rules by which we should continue or desist from 
preaching at any place. 

Quest. 1. Is it advisable for us to preach 
in as many places as we can, without form- 
ing any societies 1 

Answ. By no means : We have made the 
trial in various places ; and that for a con- 
siderable time. But all the seed has fallen 
by the way side. There is scarce any fnit 
remaining. 

Quest. 2. Where should we endeavour to 
preach most ? 

Answ. 1. Where there is the greatest num- 
ber of quiet and willing hearers 



52 Visiting from Ch. 1, 

2. Where there is most fruit. 

Quest. 3. Ought we not diligently to ob- 
serve in what places God is pleased at any 
time to pour out his Spirit more abundantly ? 

Answ. We ought : and at that time to send 
more labourers than usual into that part ot 
the harvest. 



SECTION XIV. 

Of visiting from house to house, guarding against 
those things that are so common to Professors } and 
enforcing practical Religion. 

Quest. 1. How can we farther assist those 
under our care 1 

Answ. By instructing them at their own 
houses. What unspeakable need is there of 
this! The world says, " The Methodists are 
no better than other people." This is not 
true in the general : but 1. Personal religion, 
either towards God or man, is too superficial 
among us. We can but just touch on a few 
particulars. How little faith is there among 
us! How little communion with God, how 
little living in heaven, walking in eternity, 
deadness to every creature ! How much love 
of the world ! Desire of pleasure, of ease, of 
getting money ! How little brotherly love ! 
What continual judging one another ! — What 



Sec. 14. House to House. 53 

gossipping, evil speaking, tale bearing ! What 
want of moral honesty ! To instance only 
one particular; who does as he would be 
done by, in buying and selling ? 

2. Family religion is wanting in many 
branches. And what avails public preach- 
ing alone, though we could preach like an- 
gels 1 We must, yea, every travelling preacher 
must, instruct the people from house to house. 
Till this be done, and that in good earnest, 
the Methodists will be no better. 

Our religion is not sufficiently deep, uni- 
versal, uniform: but superficial, partial, 
uneven. It will be so till we spend half as 
much time in this visiting, as we now do in 
talking uselessly Can we find a better me- 
thod of doing this than Mr. Baxter's 'I If not, 
let us adopt it without delay. His whole 
tract, entitled Gildas Salvianus, is well 
worth a careful perusal. Speaking of this 
visiting from house to house he says, (p. 
351,) " We shall find many hindrances, both 
in ourselves and the people." 

1. In ourselves there is much dulness and 
laziness, so that there will be much ado to 
get us to be faithful in the work. 

2. We have a base, man-pleasing temper, 
so that we let them perish rather than lose 
their love : we let them go quietly to hell, 
lest we should offend them. 



54 Visiting from Ch. 1. 

3. Some of us have a foolish bashfulness. 
We know not how to begin, and blush to con 
tradict the devil. 

4. But the greater hindrance is weakness 
of faith. Our whole motion is weak, because 
the spring of it is weak. 

5. Lastly, we are unskilful in the work. 
How few know how to deal with men, so as 
to get within them, and suit all our discourse 
to their several conditions and tempers : to 
choose the fittest subjects, and follow them 
with a holy mixture of seriousness, terror, 
love, and meekness ? 

But undoubtedly this private application 
is implied in those solemn words of the apos- 
tle : " I charge thee before God and the 
Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick 
and the dead at his appearing, preach the 
word ; be instant in season, out of season : 
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffer- 
ing." 

O brethren, if we could but set this work 
on foot in all our societies, and prosecute it 
zealously, what glory would redound to God ! 
If the common lukewarmness were banished, 
and every shop, and every house, busied in 
speaking of the word and works of God ; 
surely God would dwell in our habitations, 
and make us his delight. 

And this is absolutely necessary to the 



Sec. 14. House to House. 55 

welfare of our people, some of whom neither 
repent nor believe to this day. Look round, 
and see how many of them are still in appa- 
rent danger of damnation. And how can 
you walk and talk, and be merry with such 
people, when you know their case ? When 
you look them in the face you should break 
forth into tears, as the prophet did when he 
looked upon Hazael, and then set on them 
with the most vehement exhortations. Oh, 
for God's sake, and the sake of poor souls, 
bestir yourselves, and spare no pains that may 
conduce to their salvation ! 

What cause have we to bleed before the 
Lord that we have so long neglected this 
good work ! If we had but engaged in it 
sooner, how many more might have been 
brought to Christ 1 And how much holier 
and happier might our societies have been 
before now ? And why might we not have 
don^ it sooner ? There were many hin- 
drances : and so there always will be. But 
the greatest hindrance is in ourselves, in ou* 
littleness of faith and love. 

But it is objected, I. " This will take up 
so much time, we shall not have leisure to 
follow our studies." We answer, 1. Gain- 
ing knowledge is a good thing, but saving 
souls is a better. 2. By this very thing you 
will gain the most excellent knowledge, that 



56 Visiting from Cb. 1 

of God and eternity. 3. You will have 
time for gaining other knowledge too. Only 
sleep not more than you need •, " and never 
be idle, or triflingly employed." But, 4. If 
you can do but one, let your studies alone. 
We ought to throw by all the libraries in the 
world, rather than be guilty of the loss of one 
soul. 

It is objected, II. " The people will not 
submit to it." If some will not, others will. 
And the success with them, will repay all 
your labour. Oh let us herein follow the 
example of St. Paul. 1. For our general 
business, Serving the Lord with all humility 
of mind : 2. Our special work, Take heed 
to yourselves, and to all the flock : 3. Our 
doctrine, Repentance towards God, and faith 
towards our Lord Jesus Christ : 4. The 
place, / have taught you publicly, and from 
house to house : 5. The object and manner of 
teaching, JT ceased not to warn every one, 
night and day, with tears : 6. His innocence 
and self denial herein, I have coveted no man's 
silver or gold: 7. His patience, Neither count 
I my life dear unto myself And among all 
other motives, let these be ever before our 
eyes: 1. The church of God, which he hath 
purchased with his own blood: 2. Grievous 
wolves shall enter in ; yea, of yourselves shall 
men arUe, speaking perverse things. 



Sec. 14. House to House. 57 

Write this upon your hearts, and it will do 
you more good than twenty years study. Then 
you will have no time to spare : you will have 
work enough. Then likewise no preacher 
will stay with us who is as salt that has lost 
its savour. For to such, this employment 
would be mere drudgery. And in order to 
it, you will have need of all the knowledge 
you can procure, and grace you can attain. 

The sum is, Go into every house in course, 
and teach every one therein, young and old, 
to be Christians inwardly and outwardly ; 
make every particular plain to their under- 
standings ; fix it in their minds ; write it on 
their hearts. In order to this, there must be 
line upon line, precept upon precept. What 
patience, what love, what knowledge is re- 
quisite for this ! We must needs do this, were 
it only to avoid idleness. Do we not loiter 
away many hours in every week ? Each try 
himself: no idleness is consistent with a 
growth in grace. Nay, without exactness in 
redeeming time, you cannot retain the grace 
you receive in justification. 

Quest. 2. Why are we not more holy ? 
Why do we not live in eternity ? Walk with 
God all the day long? Why are we not all 
devoted to God ? Breathing the whole spirit 
of missionaries 1 

Answ, Chiefly because we are enthusi- 



58 Visiting from House to House* Ch. 1 

asts ; looking for the end without using the 
means. To touch only upon two or three 
instances :— Who of us rises at four, or even 
at five, when we do not preach 1 Do we know 
the obligation and benefit of fasting or absti- 
nence? How often do we practise it? The 
neglect of this alone is sufficient to account 
for our feebleness and faintness of spirit. We 
are continually grieving the Holy Spirit of 
God by the habitual neglect of a plain duty. 
Let us amend from this hour. 

Quest. 3. How shall we guard against sab- 
bath breaking, evil speaking, unprofitable 
conversation, lightness, expensiveness or 
gayety of apparel, and contracting debts with- 
out due care to discharge them ? 

Answ. 1. Let us preach expressly on each 
of these heads. 2. Read in every society 
the sermon on evL speaking. 3. Let the 
leaders closely examine and exhort every 
person to put away the accursed thing. 4. Let 
the preachers warn every society that none 
who is guilty herein, can remain with us. 
5. Extirpate buying or selling goods which 
have not paid the duty laid upon them by 
government, out of our church. Let none 
remain with us who will not totally abstain 
from this evil in every kind and degree. Ex- 
tirpate bribery, receiving any thing directly 
or indirectly, for voting at any election. Show 



Sec. 15. Instruction of Children. 59 

no respect to persons herein, but expel all 
that touch the accursed thing. And strongly 
advise our people to discountenance all treats 
given by candidates before or at elections, 
and not to be partakers, in any respect, of 
such iniquitous practices. 



SECTION xv. 

Of the Instruction of Children. 

Quest. What shall we do for the rising 
generation ? 

Ansio. 1. Let him who is zealous for God 
and the souls of men begin now. 

2. Where there are ten children, whose 
parents will allow it, meet them an hour once 
a week : but where this is impracticable, 
meet them once in two weeks. 

3. Procure our instructions or catechisms 
for them, and let all who can, read and com- 
mit them to memory. 

4. Explain and impress them upon their 
hearts. 

5. Talk with them every time you see any 
at home. 

6. Pray earnestly for them ; and diligently 
instruct and exhort all parents at their own 
houses. 

7. As far as practicable, it shall be the duty 



60 Of employing our Time, fyc. Ch. 1 

of every preacher of a circuit or station, to 
form Sunday schools, to obtain the names 
of the children belonging to his congrega- 
tions, to form them into classes, for the pur- 
pose of giving them religious instruction, to 
instruct them regularly himself, as much as 
his other duties will allow, — to appoint a 
suitable leader for each class, who shall in- 
struct them in his absence, and to leave his 
successor a correct account of each class thus 
formed, with the name of its leader. 

8. Preach expressly on education : — l< But 
I have no gift for this." Pray earnestly for the 
gift, and use every other means to attain it. 



SECTION XVI. 

Of employing our time profitably, token we are not 
travelling, or engaged in public exercises. 

Quest. 1. What general method of employ- 
ing our time shall we advise ? 

Answ. We advise you, 1. As often as pos- 
sible, to rise at four. 2. From four to five in 
the morning, and from five to six in the even- 
ing, to meditate, pray, and read the Scriptures 
with notes, and the closely practical parts of 
what Mr. Wesley has published. 3. From 
six in the morning till twelve, (allowing an 
hour for breakfast,) read, with much prayer, 
some of our best religious tracts. 



Sec. 16. Of employing our Time, fyc. 61 

Quest. 2. Why is it that the people under 
our care are not better ? 

Answ. Other reasons may concur, but the 
chief is, because we are not more knowing 
and more holy. 

Quest. 3. But why are we not more 
knowing ? 

Answ. Because we are idle. We forget 
our first rule, " Be diligent. — Never be unem- 
ployed. Never be triflingly employed. Nei- 
ther spend any more time at any place than 
is strictly necessary." We fear there is alto- 
gether a fault in this matter, and that few of 
us are clear. — Which of us spend as many 
hours a day in God's work, as we did formerly 
in man's work 1 We talk, — talk, or read what 
comes next to hand. We must, absolutely 
must, cure this evil, or betray the cause of 
God. But how? 1. Read the most useful 
books, and that regularly and constantly. 
2. Steadily spend all the morning in this 
employment, or at least five hours in the four 
and twenty. " But I have no taste for read- 
ing." Contract a taste for it by use, or return 
to your former employment. " But I have 
no books." Be diligent to spread the books, 
and you will have the use of them. 



62 Necessity of Union. Ch 1 

SECTION XVII. 

Of the necessity of Union among ourselves. 

Let us be deeply sensible (from what we 
have known) of the evil of a division in prin- 
ciple, spirit, or practice, and the dreadful 
consequences to ourselves and others. If we 
are united, what can stand before us ? If we 
divide, we shall destroy ourselves, the work 
of God, and the souls of our people. 

Quest. What can be done in order to a 
closer union with each other ? 

Answ. 1. Let us be deeply convinced of 
the absolute necessity of it. 

2. Pray earnestly for, and speak freely to 
each other. 

3. When we meet, let us never part with 
out prayer. 

4. Take great care not to despise each 
other's gifts. 

5. Never speak lightly of each other. 

6. Let us defend each other's character 
in every thing, so far as is consistent with 
truth. 

7. Labour, in honour, each to prefer the 
other before himself. 

8. We recommend a serious perusal of 
The causes, Evils, and Cures of heart and 
church Divisions. 



Sec. 18 Trial of Immoral Ministers. 68 

SECTION XVIII 

Of the method by which immoral travelling Ministers 
or Preachers shall be brought to trial, found 
guilty, arid reproved or suspended in the intervals 
of the conferences* 

Quest. 1. What shall be done when an 
elder, deacon or preacher, is under report of 
being guilty of some crime, expressly forbid- 
den in the word of God, as an unchristian 
practice, sufficient to exclude a person from 
the kingdom of grace and glory ? 

Ansio. Let the presiding elder, in the 
absence of a bishop, call as many travelling 
ministers as he shall think fit, at least three : 
and if possible bring the accused and the 
accuser face to face. If the person be clear- 
ly convicted, he shall be suspended from all 
official services in the church, till the ensu- 
ing annual conference ; at which his case 
shall be fully coasidered and determined. 
But if the accused be a presiding elder, the 
preachers must call in the presiding elder of 
the neighbouring district, who is lequired to 
attend, and preside at the trial. 

If the accused and accuser cannot be 
brought face to face, but the supposed delin- 
quent flees from trial, it shall be received as 
a presumptive proof of guilt ; and out of the 
* For the trial of a bishop, see section iv. 



64 Trial of Immoral Ministers. Ch. 1. 

mouth of two or three witnesses he shall be 
condemned. Nevertheless, even in that 
case, the annual conference shall reconsider 
and determine the whole matter. 

Quest. 2. What shall be done in cases of 
improper tempers, words, or actions ? 

Answ. The person so offending shall be 
reprehended by his senior in office. Should 
a second transgression take place, one, two, 
or three ministers or preachers are to be 
taken as witnesses. If he be not then cured, 
he shall be tried at the next annual confer- 
ence, and, if found guilty and impenitent, 
shall be expelled from the connexion, and 
his name so returned in the minutes of the 
conference. 

Quest. 3. What shall be done with those 
ministers or preachers, who hold and disse- 
minate publicly or privately, doctrines which 
are contrary to our articles of religion 1 

Answ. Let the same process be observed 
as in cases of gross immorality: but if the 
minister or preacher so offending, do solemn- 
ly engage not to disseminate such erroneous 
doctrines in public or in private, he shall be 
borne with, till his case be laid before the 
next annual conference, which shall deter- 
mine the matter. 

Provided nevertheless, that in all the above- 
mentioned cases of trial and conviction, an 



Sec. 18. Trial of Immoral Ministers. 66 

appeal to the ensuing general conference 
shall be allowed, if the condemned person 
signify his intention to appeal, at the time of 
his condemnation, or at any time thereafter 
when he is informed thereof. 

In all the above-mentioned cases, it shall be 
the duty of the secretary of the annual con- 
ference, to keep regular minutes of the trial, 
including all the questions proposed to the 
witnesses, and their answers, together with 
the crime with which the accused is charged, 
the specification or specifications, and also 
preserve all the documents relating to the 
case ; which minutes and documents only, 
in case of an appeal from the decision of an 
annual conference, shall be presented to the 
general conference, in evidence on the case* 
And in all cases, when an appeal is made, 
and admitted by the general conference, the 
appellant shall either state personally, or by 
his representative, (who shall be a member 
of the conference,) the grounds of his appeal, 
showing cause why he appeals, and he shall 
be allowed to make his defence without in- 
terruption. After which the representatives 
of the annual conference from whose deci- 
sion the appeal is made, shall be permitted to 
respond in presence of the appellant, who 
shall have the privilege of replying to such 
representatives, which shall close the plead- 
5 



66 Local Preachers, Ch. 1. 

ings on both sides. This done, the appellant 
shall withdraw, and the conference shall de- 
cide. 



SECTION XIX. 

How to provide for the circuits in time of conference 
and to preserve and increase the work of God. 

Quest. What can be done to supply the 
circuits during the sittings of the confer- 
ences ? 

Answ. 1. Let all the appointments stand 
according to the plan of the circuit. 

2. Engage as many local preachers and 
exhorters as will supply them ; and let them 
be paid for their time in proportion to the 
allowance of the travelling preachers. 

3. If preachers and exhorters cannot at- 
tend, let some person of ability be appointed 
in every society, to sing, pray, and read one 
of Mr. Wesley's sermons. 

4. But if that cannot be done, let there be 
prayer meetings. 



SECTION xx. 

Of the Local Preachers. 

Quest. 1. What directions shall be given 
concerning local preachers ? 



Sec. 20. Local Preachers. 67 

Answ. 1. There shall be held annually in 
each presiding elder's district, a district con- 
ference, of which all the local preachers in 
the district, who shall have been licensed two 
years, shall be members, a majority of whom 
shall be a quorum to do business ; and of 
which the presiding elder of the district for 
the time being shall be president ; or in case 
of his absence, the conference shall have au- 
thority to elect a president pro tern. It shall 
be the duty of the presiding elder of each dis- 
trict to appoint the time and place of the first 
conference, after which the presiding elder 
shall appoint the time, and the conference the 
place of its own sitting. But if any district 
conference shall not hold its regular sessions, 
then the quarterly meeting conferences of the 
circuits and stations respectively, shall have, 
authority to transact the business of the dis- 
trict conference. Provided that no person 
shall be licensed to preach without the re- 
commendation of the society of which he is a 
member, or of a leaders'^ meeting. 

2. The district conference shall have au- 
thority to license proper persons to preach, 
and renew their license annually when in the 
judgment of the said conference, their gifts, 
grace, and usefulness will warrant such re- 
newal ; to recommend suitable candidates to 
the annual conference for deacon's or eider's 



68 Local Preachers. Ch. 1 

Orders, in the local connexion, for admission 
on trial in the travelling connexion, and to 
try, suspend, expel, or acquit any local preach- 
er in the district against whom charges may 
be brought. Provided, that no person shall 
be licensed or recommended for admission 
into the travelling connexion, without being 
first recommended by the quarterly confer- 
ence of the circuit or station to which he be- 
longs ; nor shall any one be licensed to preach, 
or recommended to the annual conference 
for ordination without first being examined 
in the district conference on the subjects o' 
doctrine and discipline. 

3. The district conference shall take cog- 
nizance of ail the local preachers in the dis- 
trict, and shall inquire into the gifts, labours, 
and usefulness of each preacher by name. 

4. When charges are preferred against any 
local preacher, it shall be the duty of the 
preacher in charge to call a committee con 
sisting of three or more local preachers within 
the station, circuit, or district, before whom 
it shall be the duty of the accused to appear, 
and by whom he shall be acquitted, or, if 
found guilty, be suspended until the meeting 
of the next district conference, and the 
preacher in charge shall cause exact minutes 
of the charges, testimony and examination 
together with the decision of the committee 



Sec. 20. Local Preachers. 69 

to be laid before the district conference, 
where it shall be the duty of the accused to 
appear. And the president of the said dis- 
trict conference shall, at the commencement 
of the trial, appoint a secretary, who shall 
take down regular minutes of the evidence, 
and proceedings of the trial ; which minutes, 
when read and approved, shall be signed by 
the said president, and also by the members 
of the said district conference, or by a ma- 
jority of them. 

And in case of condemnation, the local 
preacher, deacon, or elder, condemned, shall 
be allowed an appeal to the next annual con- 
ference, provided that he signify to the said 
district conference, his determination to ap- 
peal ; in which case the said president shall 
lay the minutes of the trial above mentioned 
before the said annual conference, at which 
the local preacher, deacon, or elder, so ap- 
pealing, may appear : and the said annual 
conference shall judge and finally determine 
from the minutes of the said trial, so laid be- 
fore them. 

5. When a local elder or deacon shall be 
expelled, the president of the conference shall 
require of him the credentials of his ordina- 
tion, to be filed with the papers of the annual 
conference, within the limits of which the 
expulsion has taken place. And should he 



70 Local Preachers. Ch. 1. 

at any future time produce to the annual con 
ference, a certificate of his restoration, signed 
by the president and countersigned by the 
secretary of the district conference, his ere* 
dentials shall be restored to him. 

6. A licensed local preacher shall be eligi- 
ble to the office of a deacon, after he has 
preached for four years from the time he re- 
ceived a regular license, and has obtained a 
testimonial from the district conference to 
which he belongs, after proper examination, 
signed by the president, and countersigned 
by the secretary, and his character has passed 
in examination before, and he has obtained 
the approbation of the annual conference. 

7. A local deacon shall be eligible to the 
office of an elder, after he has preached four 
years from the time he was ordained a deacon, 
and has obtained a recommendation from the 
district conference of which he is a member- 
certifying his qualifications in doctrine, dis- 
pipline, talents, and usefulness, signed by the 
president, and countersigned by the secre 
tary. He shall, if he cannot attend, send to 
the annual conference such recommendation, 
and a note certifying his belief in the doctrine 
and discipline of our church : the whole be- 
ing examined by the annual conference, and 
if approved he may be ordained ; provided 
nevertheless, no slave holder shall be eligible 



Sec. 21. Of Baptism. 71 

to the office of an elder or deacon, where the 
laws will admit of emancipation, and permit 
the liberated slave to enjoy freedom. 

S. Every local elder, deacon, and preacher, 
shall have his name recorded on the journal 
of the quarterly meeting conference of which 
he is a member. And every licensed local 
preacher shall have his name enrolled on a 
class paper, and meet in class, if the distance 
of his place of residence from any class be 
not too great ; or in neglect thereof, the dis- 
trict conference, if they judge it proper, may 
deprive him of his ministerial office. 

Whenever a local preacher shall remove 
from one circuit to another, he shall procure 
from the presiding elder of the district, or the 
preacher having the charge of the circuit, a 
certificate of his official standing in the church 
at the time of his removal, without which he 
shall not be received as a local preacher in 
other places. 

No preacher among us shall distil or retail 
spirituous liquors, without forfeiting his offi- 
cial standing. 



SECTION XXI. 

Of Baptism. 

1. Let every adult person, and the parents 

of every child to be baptized, have the choice 

either of immersion, sprinkling, or pouring. 



72 Lord's Supper — Public Worship. Ch. 1 

2. We will oil no account whatever make 
a charge for administering baptism, or for 
burying the dead. 



SECTION XXTT. 

Of the Lord's Supper. 

Quest. Are there any directions to be given 
concerning the administration of the Lord's 
Supper ? 

Answ. 1. Let those who have scruples con- 
cerning the receiving of it kneeling, be per- 
mitted to receive it either standing or sitting. 

2. Let no person that is not a member of 
our church be admitted to the communion, 
without examination, and some token given 
by an elder or deacon. 

3. No person- shall be admitted to the 
Lord's Supper among us, wbo is guilty of any 
practice for which we would exclude a mem 
ber of our church, 



SECTION XXIII. 

Of Public Worship. 

Quest. What directions shall be given for 
the establishment of uniformity in public 
worship among us, on the Lord's day ? 

Answ. 1. Let the morning service consist 



Sec. 24. Spirit and Truth of Singing. 73 

Of singing, prayer, the reading of a chapter 
out of the Old Testament, and another out 
of the New, and preaching. 

2. Let the afternoon service consist of 
singing, prayer, the reading of one or two 
chapters out of the Bible, and preaching. 

3. Let. the evening service consist of sing- 
ing, prayer, and preaching. 

4. But on the days of administering the 
Lord's supper, the two chapters in the morn- 
•ng service may be omitted. 

5. In administering the ordinances, and in 
the burial of the dead, let the form of disci- 
pline invariably be used. Let the Lord's 
prayer also be used on all occasions of public 
worship in concluding the first prayer, and 
the apostolic benediction in dismissing the 
congregation. 

6. Let the society be met, wherever it is 
practicable, on the sabbath day. 



SECTION XXIV, 
Of the Spirit and Truth of Singing. 
Quest. How shall we guard against formal- 
ity in singing ? 

Answ. 1. By choosing such hymns as are 
proper for the congregation. 

2. By not singing too much at once ; sel^ 
dom more than five or six verses. 



74 Spirit and Truth of Shiging. Ch. 1 

3. By suiting the tune to the words. 

4. By often stopping short, and asking the 
people, " Now ! do you know what you said 
last 1 Did you speak no more than you 
felt ?" 

5. Do not suffer the people to sing too 
slow. This naturally tends to formality, and 
is brought in by those who have either very 
strong or very weak voices. 

6. In every large society let them learn to 
sing ; and let them always learn our tunes 
first. 

7. Let the women constantly sing their 
parts alone. Let no man sing with them 
unless he understands the notes and sings 
the bass as it is composed in the tune book. 

8. Introduce no new tune till they are per- 
fect in the old. 

9. Recommend our tune book. And if 
you cannot sing yourself, choose a person or 
two at each place to pitch the tune for you. 

10. Exhort every person in the congrega- 
tion to sing ; not one in ten only. 

11. Sing no hymns of your own compo- 
sing. 

12 If a preacher be present, let him alone* 
give out the words. 

13. When the singers would teach a tunc 
to the congregation, they must sing only the 
tenor. 



Sec. 1. General Rules. 75 

14. Let it be recommended to our people, 
not to attend the singing schools which are 
not under our direction. 

15. The preachers are desired not to en- 
courage the singing of fugue tunes in our 
congregations. 

16. We do not think that fugue tunes are 
sinful, or improper to be used in private com- 
panies : but we do not approve of their being 
used in our public congregations, because 
public singing is a part of divine worship, in 
which all the congregation ought to join. 



CHAPTER. II. 

SECTION I. 

The Nature, Design, and General Rules of our 
United Societies. 

(1) In the latter end of the year 1739 
eight or ten persons came to Mr. Wesley, in 
London, who appeared to be deeply convinced 
of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemp- 
tion. They desired (as did two or three more 
the next day) that he would spend some time 
with them in prayer, and advise them how 
to flee from the wrath to come ; which they 
saw continually hanging over their heads. 
That he might have more time for this great 
work, he appointed a day when they might all 



76 General Rules. Ch. 2. 

come together ; which from thenceforward 
they did every week, namely, on Thursday 
in the evening. To these, and as many more 
as desired to join with them, (for their num- 
ber increased daily,) he gave those advices 
from time to time which he judged most need- 
ful for them ; and they always concluded their 
meeting with prayer, suited to their -several 
necessities. 

(2) This was the rise of the United Soci- 
ety, first in Europe and then in America. 
Such a society is no other than "a company 
of men having the form and seeking the power 
of godliness, united in order to pray together , 
to receive the word of exhortation, and to 
watch over one another in love, that they may 
help each other to work out their salvation." 

(3) That it may the more easily he discern- 
ed, whether they are indeed working out their 
own salvation, each society is divided into 
smaller companies, called classes, according 
to their respective places of abode. There 
are about twelve persons in a class; one of 
whom is styled The Leader. — It is his duty, 

I. To see each person in his class once a 
week at least ; in order, 

1. To inquire how their souls prosper : 

2. To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, 
as occasion may require : 

3. To receive what they are willing to give, 



Sec. 1. General Rules. 77 

towards the relief of the preachers, church, 
and poor.* 

II. To meet the ministers and the stewards 
of the society once a week ; in order, 

1. To inform the minister of any that are 
sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will 
not be reproved. 

2. To pay the stewards what they have 
received of their several classes in the week 
preceding. 

(4) There is only one condition previously 
required of those who desire admission into 
these societies, u a desire to flee from the 
wrath to come, and to be saved from their 
sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the 
soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is 
therefore expected of all who continue there- 
in, that they should continue to evidence 
their desire of salvation, 

First, by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of 
every kind, especially that which is most gen- 
erally practised : such as, 

The taking of the name of God in vain. 

The profaning the day of the Lord, either 
by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying 
or selling. 

* This part refers to towns and cities ; where the 
poor are generally numerous, and church expenses 
considerable. 



78 General Rules. Ch. 2 

Drunkenness : or drinking spiritous liquors, 
unless in cases of necessity 

The buying and selling of men, women, and 
children, with an intention to enslave them. 

Fighting, quarrelling, brawling, brother 
going to law with brother ; returning evil for 
evil ; or railing for railing ; the using many 
words in buying or selling. 

The buying or selling goods that have not 
paid the duty. 

The giving or taking things on usury, i. e. 
unlawful interest. 

Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation : 
particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of 
ministers. 

Doing to others as we would not they 
should do unto us. 

Doing what we know is not for the glory of 
God : as, 

The putting on of gold and costly apparel. 

The taking such diversions as cannot be 
used in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

The singing those songs, or reading those 
books which do not tend to the knowledge or 
love of God. 

Softness and needless self-indulgence ; 

Laying up treasure upon earth. 

Borrowing without a probability of paying; 
or taking up goods without a probability of 
paying for them. 



Sec. 1. General Rules. 79 

(5) It is expected of all who continue in 
these societies, that they should continue to 
evidence their desire of salvation, 

Secondly, By doing good, by being in 
every kind merciful after their power, as 
they have opportunity, doing good of every 
possible sort, and as far as possible, to all 
men ; 

To their bodies, of the ability which God 
giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by 
clothing the naked, by visiting or helping 
them that are sick, or in prison. 

To their souls, by instructing, reproving, 
or exhorting all we have any intercourse 
with ; trampling under foot that enthusiastic 
doctrine, that " we are not to do good, unless 
our hearts be free to it" 

By doing good, especially to them that are 
of the household of faith, or groaning so to 
be ; employing them preferably to others, 
buying one of another, helping each other 
in business ; and so much the more because 
the world will love its own, and them only. 

By all possible diligence and frugality , 
that the gospel be not blamed. 

By running with patience the race which 
is set before them, denying themselves, and 
taking up their cross dally; submitting to 
Dear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth 
and offscouring of the world ; and looking 



80 General Rules. Ch. 2. 

that men should say all manner of evil of 
them falsely for the Lord's sake. 

(6) It is expected of all who desire to con- 
tinue in these societies, that they should con- 
tinue to evidence their desire of salvation, 

Thirdly, by attending upon all the ordi- 
nances of God : such are, 

The public worship of God : 

The ministry of the word, either read cr 
expounded : 

The Supper of the Lord : 

Family and private prayer : 

Searching the Scriptures, and 

Fasting, or abstinence. 

(7) These are the general rules of our 
societies : all which we are taught of God to 
observe, even in his written word, which is 
the only rule, and the sufficient rule both of 
our faith and practice. And all these we 
know his Spirit writes on truly awakened 
hearts. If there be any among us who ob- 
serve them not, who habitually break any of 
them, let it be known unto them who watch 
over that soul, as they who must give an 
account. We will admonish him of the error 
of his ways. We will bear with him for a 
season. But if then he repent not, he hath 
no more place among us. We have deliver 
ed our own souls. 



Sec. 2. Class meetings. 81 

SECTION II. 

Of Class Meetings. 

Quest* 1. How may the leaders of classes 
be rendered more useful ? 

Answ. 1. Let each of them be diligently 
examined concerning his method of meeting 
a class. Let this be done with all possible 
exactness, at least once a quarter. Iii order 
to this, take sufficient time. 

2. Let each leader carefully inquire how 
every soul in his class prospers : not only 
how each person observes the outward rules, 
but how he grows in the knowledge and love 
of God. 

3. Let the leaders converse with those who 
have the charge of their circuits, frequently 
and freely. 

Quest. 2. Can any thing more be done in 
order to make the class meetings lively and 
profitable ? 

Ansic. 1. Change improper leaders. 

2. Let the leaders frequently meet each 
other's classes. 

3. Let us observe which leaders are the 
most useful ; and let these meet the other 
classes as often as possible. 

4. See that all the leaders be not only men 
of sound judgment, but men truly devoted 
to God. 

6 



S2 Class Meetings. Ch. 2. 

Quest. 3. How shall we prevent improper 
persons from insinuating themselves into the 
church 1 

Ansio. 1. Give tickets to none until they 
are recommended by a leader with tchom they 
have met at least six months on trial. 

2. Give notes to none but those who are 
recommended by one you know, or until 
they have met three or four times in a class. 

3. Read the rules to them the first time 
they meet. 

Quest. 4. How shall we be more exact in 
receiving and excluding members ? 

Answ. The official minister or preacher 
shall at every quarterly meeting, read the 
names of those that are received and ex- 
cluded. 

Quest. 5. What shall we do with those 
members of our church, who wilfully and 
repeatedly neglect to meet their class ? 

Ansio. 1. Let the elder, deacon, or one ot 
the preachers, visit them, whenever it is 
practicable, and explain to them the conse- 
quence if they continue to neglect, viz. 
exclusion. 

2. If they do not amend, let him who has 
the charge of the circuit, exclude them, (in 
the church) showing that they are laid aside 
for a breach of our rules of discipline, and 
not fbr immoral conduct. 



Sec. 3. Band Societies, 83 



SECTION III. 

Of the Band Societies. 

Two, three, or four true believers, who have confidence in each 
other, form a band. — Only it is to be observed, that in one of 
these bands all must be men, or all women ; and all married, 
or all unmarried. 

[Rules of the Band Societies, drawn up 
Dec. 25, 1738.] 

The design of our meeting is to obey that 
command of God, Confess your faults one to 
another, and pray one for another, that ye 
may be healed: James v, 16. 

To this end we agree, 

1. To meet once a week, at least. 

2. To come punctually at the hour ap- 
pointed ; without some extraordinary reason 
prevents. 

3. To begin exactly at the hour with sing- 
ing or prayer. 

4. To speak, each of us in order, freely 
and plainly, the true state of our souls, with 
the faults we have committed in tempers, 
words, or actions, and the temptations we 
have felt since our last meeting. 

5. To end every meeting with prayer suited 
to the state of each person present. 

6. To desire some person among us to 
speak his own state first, and then to ask 
the rest in order, as many and as searching 



84 Band Societies. Ch. 2 

questions as may be, concerning their state, 
sins, and temptations. 

Some of the questions proposed to one before 
he is admitted among us, may be to this effect: 

1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins ? 

2. Have you peace with God, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ ? 

3. Have you the witness of God's Spirit 
with your spirit, that you are a child of God ? 

4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your 
heart ? 

5. Has no sin, inward or outward, domi- 
nion over you ? 

6. Do you desire to be told of your faults * 

7. Do you desire to be told of all youi 
faults, and that plain and home ? 

8. Do you desire that every one of us 
should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever 
is in our heart concerning you ? 

9. Consider ! Do you desire we should tell 
you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, 
whatsoever we hear concerning you ? 

10. Do you desire that in doing this, we 
should come as close as possible, that we 
should cut to the quick, and search your heart 
to the bottom ? 

11. Is it your desire and design to be on 
this and all other occasions entirely open, so 
as to speak without disguise, and without 
reserve 1 



Sec. 3. Band Societies. 85 

Any of the preceding questions may be 
asked as often as occasion requires : the four 
following at every meeting. 

1. What known sins have you committed 
since our last meeting 1 

2. What particular temptations have you 
met with? 

3. How were you delivered ? 

4. What have you thought, said, or done 
of which you doubt whether it be sin or not 1 

Directions given to the Band Societies, December 
2oth, 1744. 

You are supposed to have the Faith that 
overcometh the loorld. — To you, therefore, it 
is not grievous : 

I. Carefully to abstain from doing evil ; in 
particular, 

1. Neither to buy nor sell any thing at all 
on the Lord's day. 

2. To taste no spirituous liquor, no dram 
of any kind, unless prescribed by a physician. 

3. To be at a ivord both in buying and 
selling. 

4. Not to mention the faults of any behind 
his back, and to stop those short that do. 

5. To vrear no needless ornaments, such as 
rings, ear rings, necklaces, lace, or ruffles. 

6. To use no needless self indulgence. 

II. Zealously to maintain good works : in 
particular, 



86 Band Societies. Ch. 2. 

1 To give alms of such things as you pos 
sess, and that according to your ability. 

2. To reprove those who sin in your sight, 
and that in love and meekness of wisdom. 

3. To be patterns of diligence and frugality, 
of self denial, and taking Up the cross daily. 

III. Constantly to attend on all the ordi- 
nances of God : in particular, 

1. To be at church, and at the Lord's 
table, and at every public meeting of the 
bands, at every opportunity. 

2. To use private prayer every day; and 
family prayer, if you are the head of a family. 

3. Frequently to read the Scriptures, and 
meditate thereon. And, 

4. To observe, as days of fasting or absti- 
nence, all Fridays in the year. 



SECTION IV. 

Of the privileges granted to serious persons who 
are not of our church. 

Quest. 1. How often shall we permit those 
who are not of our church to meet in class > 

Answ. At every other meeting of the class 
in every place, let no stranger be admitted. 
At other times they may ; but the same per- 
son not above twice or thrice. 

Quest. 2. How often shall we permit stran 
gers to be present at our love feasts ? 



Sec. 5. Of Marriage. 87 

Ansic. Let them be admitted with the ut- 
most caution; and the same person on no 
account above twice or thrice, unless he be 
come a member. 



section v. 
Of Marriage. 

Quest. 1. Do we observe any evil which 
has prevailed in our church with respect to 
marriage ? 

Ansic. Many of our members have married 
with unawakened persons. This has produ- 
ced bad effects ; they have been either hin- 
dered for life, or have turned back to perdi- 
tion. 

Quest. 2. What can be done to discourage 
this ? 

Answ. 1. Let every preacher publicly 
enforce the apostle's caution, " Be ye not 
unequally yoked together with unbelievers/' 
2 Cor. vi, 14. 

2. Let him declare, whoever does this will 
oe put back on trial for six months. 

3. When any such is put back on trial, let 
a suitable exhortation be subjoined. 

4. Let all be exhorted to take no step in 
so weighty a matter, without advising with 
the most serious of their brethren. 



88 Of Dress. Ch. 2. 

Quest. 3. Ought any woman to marry with- 
out the consent of her parents ? 

Ansin. In general she ought not. Yet 
there may be exceptions. For if, 1. A wo- 
man believe it to be her duty to marry : if, 
2. Her parents absolutely refuse to let her 
marry any Christian : then she may, nay, 
ought to marry without their consent. Yet 
even then a Methodist preacher ought not to 
be married to her. 

We do not prohibit our people from mar- 
rying persons who are not of our church, 
provided such persons have the form, and are 
seeking the power of godliness ; but we are 
determined to discourage their marrying per- 
sons who do not come up to this description. 
And even in a doubtful case, the member 
shall be put back on trial 



SECTION VI 
Of Dress. 
Quest. Should we insist on the rules con- 
cerning dress 1 

Answ. By all means. This is no time to 
give any encouragement to superfluity of ap- 
parel. Therefore give no tickets to any till 
they have left off* superfluous ornaments. In 
order to this, 1. Let every one who has the 



Sec. 7. Trial of Disorderly Persons. 89 

charge of a circuit, read the thoughts upon 
dress, at least once a year in every large 
society. 2. In visiting the classes, be very 
mild, but very strict. 3. Allow of no exempt 
case : better one suffer than many. 4. Give 
no tickets to any that wear high heads, enor 
mous bonnets, ruffles, or rings. 



SECTION VII. 

Of bringing to trial, finding guilty, and reproving, 
suspending, or excluding, disorderly persons from 
society and church privileges. 

Quest. How shall an accused member be 
brought to trial ! 

Answ. 1. Before the society of which he 
is a member, or a select number of them, in 
the presence of a bishop, elder, deacon, or 
preacher, in the following manner : Let the 
accused and accuser be brought face to face ; 
but if this cannot be done, let the next best 
evidence be procured. If the accused per- 
son be found guilty by the decision of a 
majority of the members before whom he is 
brought 10 trial, and the crime be such as is 
expressly forbidden by the word of God, 
sufficient to exclude a person from the king- 
dom of grace and glory, let the minister or 
preacher who has the charge of the circuit, 
expel him. If the accused person evade a 



90 Trial of Disorderly Persons. Ch. 2. 

trial, by absenting himself, after sufficient 
notice given him, and the circumstances of 
the accusation be strong and presumptive, 
let him be esteemed as guilty, and be accord- 
ingly excluded. — Witnesses from without 
shall not be rejected. 

2. But in cases of neglect of duties of any 
kind, imprudent conduct, indulging sinful 
tempers or words, or disobedience to the order 
and discipline of the church : First, let pri- 
vate reproof be given by a preacher or leader ; 
and if there be. an acknowledgment of the 
fault, and proper humiliation, the person may 
be borne with. On a second offence, the 
preacher or leader may take one or two faith- 
ful friends. On a third offence, let the case 
be brought before the society, or a select 
number, and if there be no sign of real hu- 
miliation, the offender must be cut off. 

3. If a member of our church shall be 
clearly convicted of endeavouring to sow 
dissensions in any of our societies, by inveigh- 
ing against either our doctrines or discipline, 
such person so offending, shall be first re- 
proved by the senior minister or preacher of 
his circuit, and, if he persist in such perni- 
cious practices, he shall be expelled from the 
church. 

4. Nevertheless, if in any of the above- 
mentioned cases the minister or preacher 



Sec. 7. Trial of Disorderly Persons. 91 

differ in judgment from the majority of the 
6ociety, or the select number, concerning the 
innocence or guilt of the accused person, the 
trial, in such case, may be referred by the 
minister or preacher, to the ensuing quarterly 
meeting conference. 

5. If there be a murmur or complaint from 
any excluded person, in any of the above 
mentioned instances, that justice has not 
been done, he shall be allowed an appeal to 
the next quarterly meeting conference : ex- 
cept such as absent themselves from trial, 
after sufficient notice is given them : and the 
majority of the travelling and local preach- 
ers, exporters, stewards, and leaders present, 
shall finally determine the case. 

After such forms of trial and expulsion, 
such persons shall have no privileges of soci- 
ety or of sacraments, in our church, without 
contrition, confession, and proper trial. 



SECTION VIH. 
Of the Sale and Use of Spirituous Liquors. 
Quest. 1. What directions shall be given 
concerning the sale and use of spirituous 
liquors 1 

Anszv. If any member of our church retail 
or give spirituous liquors, and any thing dis- 
orderly be transacted under his roof on this 



92 Administration of Ch. 3. 

account, the preacher who has the oversight 
of the circuit shall proceed against him as in 
the case of other immoralities : and the per- 
son accused shall be cleared, censured, sus- 
pended, or excluded, according to his con- 
duct, as on other charges of immorality. 



CHAPTER III. 

SACRAMENTAL SERVICES, ETC. 

SECTION I. 

The Order for the Administration of the Lord's 

Supper. 

The Elder shall say one or more of these sentences 
Let your light so shine before men, that 
they may see your good works, and glorify 
your Father who is in heaven, Matt, v, 16. 

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon 
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves break through and steal : but 
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, 
and where thieves do not break through nor 
steal, Matt, vi, 19, 20. 

Whatsoever ye would that men should do 
unto you, even so do unto them: for this is 
the law and the prophets, Matt, vii, 12. 



Sec. 1. the Lord's Supper, 93 

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, 
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, 
but he that doeth the will of my Father who 
is in heaven, Matt, vi, 21. 

Zaccheus stood forth, and said unto the 
Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I 
give to the poor; and if I have done any 
wrong to any man ; I restore him fourfold, 
Luke xix, 8. 

He that soweth little, shall reap little ; and 
he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plen- 
teously. Let every man do according as he 
is disposed in his heart ; not grudgingly or of 
necessity-; for God loveth a cheerful giver, 2 
Cor. ix, 6, 7. 

While we have time, let us do good unto 
all men, and especially unto them that are of 
the household of faith, Gal. vi, 10. 

Godliness with contentment is great gain ; 
for we brought nothing into this world, and it 
is certain we can carry nothing out, 1 Tim. 
vi, 6, 7. 

Charge them who are rich in this world, that 
they be ready to give, and glad to distribute, 
laying up in store for themselves a good foun- 
dation against the time to come, that they 
may attain eternal life, 1 Tim. vi, 17, 18, 1&. 

God is not unrighteous, that he will forget 
your works and labour that proceedeth of 
love ; which love you have snowed for his 



94 Administration of Ch. 3. 

name's sake, who have ministered unto the 
saints, and yet do minister, Heb. vi, 10. 

To do good, and to distribute forget not ; 
for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, 
Heb. xiii, 16. 

Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth 
his brother have need, and shutteth up his 
bowels of compassion from him, how dwell- 
eth the love of God in him ? 1 John iii, 17. 

He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth 
unto the Lord ; and look, what he laith out, 
it shall be paid him again, Prov. xix, 17. 

Blessed is the man that provideth for the 
sick and needy ; the Lord shall deliver him 
in time of trouble, Psalm xli, 1. 

[While these sentences are in reading, some fit per- 
son appointed for that purpose, shall receive the 
alms for the poor, and other devotions of the peo- 
ple, in a decent basin, to be provided for that pur- 
pose ; and then bring it to the Elder, who shall 
place it upon the table.] 

After which the Elder shall say, 

Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of 
your sins, and are in love and charity with 
your neighbours, and intend to lead a new 
life, following the commandments of God, 
and walking from henceforth in his holy 
ways; draw near with faith, and take this 
holy sacrament to your comfort : and make 



Sec. I. the Lord's Supper. 95 

your humble confession to Almighty God, 
meekly kneeling upon your knees. 

Then shall this general confession be mnde by the 
Minister in the name of all those who are mmdta 
to receive the Holy Communion, both he and all 
the -people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and 
saying, 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men : 
we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins 
and wickedness, which we from time to time 
most grievously have committed, by thought, 
word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, 
provoking most justly thy wrath and indigna- 
tion against us. We do earnestly repent, and 
are heartily sorry for these our misdoings ; 
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us. 
Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, 
most merciful Father ; for thy Son, our Lord 
Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is 
past ; and grant that we may ever hereafter 
serve and please thee in newness of life, to 
the honour and glory of thy name, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the Elder say, 

O Almighty God, our heavenly Father, 
who of thy great mercy hath promised for- 
giveness of sins to all them that with hearty 



96 Administration of Ch. 3. 

repentance and true faith turn unto thee : 
have mercy upon us ; pardon and deliver us 
from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us 
in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting 
life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be 
open, all desires known, and from whom no 
secrets are hid ; cleanse the thoughts of our 
hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, 
that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily 
magnify thy holy name, through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the Elder say. 

It is very meet, right, and our bounden 
duty, that we should at all times, and in all 
places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy 
Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. 

Therefore with angels and archangels, and 
with all the company of heaven, we laud and 
magnify thy glorious name, evermore prais- 
ing thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord 
God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of 
thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most 
high. Amen. 

Then shall the Elder say. 

We do not presume to come to this thy 
table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own 
righteousness, but in thy manifold and great 



Sec. 1. the Lord's Supper. 97 

mercies. We are not worthy so much as to 
gather up the crumbs under thy table. But 
thou art the same Lord, whose property is 
always to have mercy : Grant us, therefore, 
gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear 
Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, tlrat 
our sinful souls and bodies may be made clean 
by his death, and washed through his most 
precious blood, and that we may evermore 
dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. 

Then the Elder shall say the prayer of consecration, 
as follow el It. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who 
of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son 
Jesus Christ to surfer death upon the cross 
for our redemption ; who made there (by his 
oblation of himself once offered) a full, per- 
fect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and 
satisfaction for the sins of the whole world : 
and did institute, and in his holy gospel com- 
mind us to continue, a perpetual memory of 
that his precious death until his coming 
again : hear us. O merciful Father, we most 
humbly beseech thee, and grant that we, 
receiving these thy creatures of bread ami 
wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus 
Christ's holy institution in remembrance of 
his death and passion, may be partakers of 
his most blessed Body and Blood ; who in the 
same night that he wa^ betrayed, took bread ; 



98 



Administration of 



Ch. 3 



(I) Here the Elder 
is to take the plate of 
hread into his hand. 



(1) and when he had 

given thanks, he broke 

it (2) and gave it to his 

disciples, saying, Take, 

eat ; this (3) is my Body 

which is given for you ; 

Do this, in remembrance 

of me. Likewise after 

supper he took (4) the 

cup ; and when he had 

given thanks, he gave it 

to -them, saying, Drink 

ye all of this ; for this 

(5) is my blood of the 

New-Testament, which 

is shed for you, and for 

many, for the remission 

of sins ; Do this, as oft 

as ye shall drink it in remembrance of me. 

Amen. 



(2) And here to 
break the bread. 



(3) And here to lay 
his hands upon all the 
Bread. 



(4) Here he is to 
take the cup in his 
hand. 



(5) And here to lay 
his hand upon all the 
vessels which contain 
the wine. 



Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion 
in both kinds himself \ and then proceed to deliver 
the same to the other Ministers in like manner, 
(if any be present,) and after that to the people 
also, in order, into their hands. And when he dc- 
livereth the bread, he shall say, 

.The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 
was given for thee, preserve thy soul and body 
unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in 
remembrance that Christ died for thee, and 



Sec. 1. the Lord's Supper. 99 

feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanks- 
giving. 
And the Minister that deliver eth the cup shall say, 

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 
was shed for thee, preserve thy soul and body 
unto everlasting life. Drink this in remem 
brance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, 
and be thankful. 

[If the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before 
all have communicated, the Eider may consecrate 
more, by repeating the prayer of consecration.] 

[When all have communicated, the Minister shall 
return to the Lord's Table, and place upon it what 
remaineth of the consecrated elements, covering the 
same with a fair linen cloth.] 

Then shall the Elder say the Lord's prayer ; the peo- 
ple repeating after him every petition. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name : Thy kingdom come : Thy will 
be done on earth as it is in heaven : Give us 
this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our 
trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us: and lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil, for thine is the King- 
dom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever 
and ever. Amen. 

After which shall be said as folio w eth t 

O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy hum- 
ble servants desire thy Fatherly goodness 



100 Administration of Ch. 3. 

mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of 
praise and thanksgiving ; most humbly be- 
seeching thee to grant that, by the merits and 
death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through 
faith in his blood, we and thy whole church 
may obtain remission of our sins, and all 
other benefits of his passion. And here we 
offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our- 
selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reason- 
able, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; 
humbly beseeching thee that all we who are 
partakers of this holy Communion, may be 
filled with thy grace and heavenly benedic- 
tion. And although we be unworthy, through 
our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any 
sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this 
our bounden duty and service ; not weigh- 
ing our merits, but pardoning our offences, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord : by whom, 
and with whom, in the unity of the Holy 
Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O 
Father Almighty, world without end. Amen. 

Then shall be said, 

Glory be to God on high, and on earth 
peace, good will towards men. We praise 
thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we 
glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy 
great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, 
God the Father Almighty. 



Sec. 1. the Lord's Supper. 101 

O Lord, the only begotten Son Je3us 
Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of 
the Father, that takest away the sins of the 
world, have mercy upon us. Thou that 
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy 
upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of 
the world, receive our prayer. Thou that 
sittest at the right hand of God the Father, 
have mercy upon us. 

For thou only art holy ; thou only art the 
Lord ; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy 
Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the 
Father. Amen. 

Then the Elder, if he see it expedient, may put up 
an extempore prayer ; and afterwards shall let the 
people depart with this blessing: 

May the peace of God, which passeth all 
understanding, keep your hearts and minds 
in the knowledge and love of God, and of his 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing 
of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and 
the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain 
with you always. Amen. 

N. B. If the Elder be straitened for time, he may 
omit any part of the service, except the prayer of 
Consecration. 



102 Baptism of Infants. Ch. 3. 

SECTION II. 

The Ministration of Baptism to Infants. 

The Minister coming to the font, which is to be 
filled with pure water, shall use the following, or 
some other exhortation, suitable to this sacred 
office. 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are 
conceived and born in sin, and that our Sa- 
viour Christ saith, None can enter into the 
kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and 
born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost ; 
I beseech you to call upon God the Father, 
through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his 
bounteous mercy he will grant to this child 
that thing which by nature he cannot have ; 
that he may be baptized with water and the 
Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy 
church, and be made a lively member of the 
same. 

Then shall the Minister say, 
Let us pray. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy 
great mercy didst save Noah and his family 
in the ark from perishing by water; and also 
didst safely lead the children of Israel, thy 
people, through the Red sea, figuring there- 
by thy holy baptism : and by the baptism of 
hv we.l-beloved Son Jesus Christ in the river 



Sec. 2. Baptism of Infants. 103 

Jordan, didst sanctify water for this holy 
sacrament. We beseech thee, for thine infi- 
nite mercies, that thou wilt look upon this 
child: wash him and sanctify him with the 
Holy Ghost; that he being delivered from thy 
wrath, maybe received into the ark of Christ's 
church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful 
through hope, and rooted in love, may so pass 
the waves of this troublesome world, that • 
finally he may come to the land of everlasting 
life ; there to reign with thee, world without 
end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam 
in this child may be so buried, that the new 
man may be raised up in him. Amen. 

Grant that all carnal affections :nay die in 
him t and that all things belonging to the 
Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen. 

Grant that he may have power and strength 
to have victory, and to triumph against the 
devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. 

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee 
by our Office and Ministry, may also be en- 
dued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly 
rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord 
God, who dost live and govern all things, 
world without end. Amen. 

Almighty, ever living God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the for- 
giveness of our sins, did shed out of his most 



104 Baptism of Infants. Ch. 3, 

precious side both water and blood, and gave 
commandment to his disciples that they should 
go teach all nations, and baptize them in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost; regard, we beseech thee, 
the supplications of thy congregation ; sanc- 
tify this water for this holy Sacrament ; and 
grant that this child now to be baptized, may 
receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever 
remain in the number of thy faithful and 
elect children, through Jesus Ghrist our 
Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the people stand up : and the Minister 
shall say : 

Hear the words of the gospel written by St. Mark, 
in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse. 

They brought young children to Christ, 
that he should touch them — And his disciples 
rebuked those that brought them ; but when 
Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and 
said unto them, Suffer the little children to 
come unto me, and forbid them not* for of 
such is the kingdom of God. — Verily I say 
unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the 
kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not 
enter therein. — And he took them up in his 
arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed 
them. 



Sec. 2. Ministration of Baptism. 105 

Then the ^Minister shall take the Child into his 
Hands, and say to the Friends of the Child, 

Name this child. 

.'lad then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or 
pour icater upon it, or if desired, immerse it in 
water, saying, 

N. I baptize thee in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen, ' 

Then shall be said, all kneeling, 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will 
be done on earth, as it is in heaven : give us 
this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our 
trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us ; and lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister conclude with extemporary 
Prayer. 



The Ministration of Baptism to such as are 
of riper years. 

The Minister shall use the following, or some other 
exhortation, suitable to this Holy Office. 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are 
conceived and born in sin, (and that which 
is born of the flesh is flesh, and they that are 
in the flesh cannot please God, but live in 
sin, committing many actual transgressions :) 



106 Baptism of such as Ch. 3. 

and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can 
enter into the kingdom of God, except he be 
regenerate and born anew of water and of 
the Holy Ghost : I beseech you to call upon 
God the Father, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will 
grant to these persons, that which by nature 
they cannot have ; that they may be baptized 
with water and the Holy Ghost, and received 
into Christ's holy church, and be made live- 
ly members of the same. 

Then shall the Minister say, 

Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all 
Jiat need, the helper of all that flee to thee; 
for succour, the life of them that believe, and 
the resurrection of the dead : We call upon 
thee for these persons ; that they coming to 
thy holy baptism, may receive remission ot 
their sins, by spiritual regeneration. Receive 
them, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy 
well-beloved Son, saying, Ask and ye shall 
receive, seek and ye shall find : knock and 
it shall be opened unto you : so give now 
unto us that ask : let us that seek, find ; open 
the gate unto us that knock ; that these per- 
sons may enjoy the everlasting benediction of 
thy heavenly washing, and may come to the 
eternal kingdom which thou hast promised 
by Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Sec. 2. are of riper years. 107 

After which he shall say, 

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly 
Father, we give thee humble thanks, for that 
thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the know- 
ledge of thy grace, and faith in thee ; increase 
this knowledge and confirm this faith in us 
evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to these per- 
sons that they may be born again, and be 
made heirs of everlasting salvation through 
our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reign- 
eth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and 
for ever. Amen. 

Then shall the people stand up, and the Minister 
shall say, 

Hear the words of the gospel written by St. John, in 
the third chapter beginning at the first verse. 

There was a man of the Pharisees, named 
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews : the same 
came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 
Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come 
from God : for no man can do these miracles 
that thou doest except God be with him. 
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, 
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born 
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man 
be born when he is old ? Can he enter the 
second time into his mother's womb, and be 
born ? Je'^is answered, Verily, verily, I say 



108 Baptism of such as Ch. 3. 

unto thee, Except a man be born of water 
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the 
kingdom of God. That which is born of the 
flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the 
Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto 
thee, Ye must be born again. The wind 
bloweth where it listeth, and thou nearest the 
sound thereof; but canst not tell whence it 
cometh, and whither it goeth : so is every 
one that is born of the Spirit : 

Then the Minister shall speak to the persons to 
be baptized on this wise: 

Well beloved, who are come hither, desir- 
ing to receive holy Baptism, ye have heard 
how the congregation hath prayed, that our 
Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive 
you and bless you, to release you of your sins, 
to give you the kingdom of heaven, and ever- 
lasting life. And our Lord Jesus Christ 
hath promised in his holy word to grant all 
those things that we have prayed for : which 
promise he for his part will most surely keep 
and perform. 

Wherefore after this promise made by 
Christ, you must also faithfully, for your part, 
promise in the presence of this whole con- 
gregation, that you will renounce the devil 
and all his works, and constantly believe 
God's holy word, and obediently keep his 
commandments. 



Sec. 2. are of riper years. 109 

TJien shall the Minister demand of each of the per 
sons to be baj)tized, severally, 

Quest. Dost thou renounce the devil and 
all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the 
world, with all covetous desires of the same, 
and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that 
thou wilt not follow or be led by them ? 

Answ. I renounce them all. 

Quest. Dost thou believe in God the Fa- 
ther Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? 
and in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son 
our Lord ? — and that he was conceived by 
the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary 1 
that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was 
crucified, dead, and buried ; that he rose 
again the third day ; that he ascended into 
heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God 
the Father Almighty, and from thence shall 
come again, at the end of the world, to judge 
the quick and the dead. 

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, 
the Holy Catholic Church ; the Communion 
of Saints ; the Remission of sins; the Resur- 
rection of the body, and everlasting life after 
death 1 

Ansic. All this I steadfastly believe. 

Quest. Wilt thou be baptized in this 
faith ? 

Answ. This is my desire. 

Quest Wilt thou then obediently keep 



110 Baptism of such as Ch. 3. 

God's holy will and commandments, and 
walk in the same all the days of thy life ? 

Answ. I will endeavour so to do, God be- 
ing my helper. 

Then shall the Minister say, 

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam 
in these persons may be so buried, that the 
new man may be raised up in them. Amen. 

Grant that all carnal affections may die 
in them, and that all things belonging to the 
Spirit may live and grow in them. Amen. 

Grant that they may have power and 
strength to have victory, and triumph against 
the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. 

Grant that they being here dedicated to 
thee by our office and ministry, may also be 
endued with heavenly virtues, and everlast- 
ingly rewarded, through thy mercy, O blessed 
Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, 
world without end. — Amen. 

Almighty, ever living God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the for- 
giveness of our sins, did shed out of his most 
precious side, both water and blood ; and 
gave commandment to his disciples that they 
should go teach all nations, and baptize them 
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost : Regard, we beseech 
thee, the supplications of this congregation i 



Sec. 2. are of riper years. Ill 

and grant that the persons now to be bap- 
tized, may receive the fulness of thy grace, 
and ever remain in the number of thy faith- 
ful and elect children, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister take each person to be bap 
tized by the right hand ; and placing him con- 
veniently by the font , according to his discretion, 
shall ask the name; and then shall sprinkle or 
pour uater upon him, (or if he shall desire it, 
shall immerse him i?i water,) saying, 

N. I baptize thee in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

Then shall be said the Lord's prayer, all kneeling. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy will 
be done on earth, as it is in heaven : Give us 
this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our 
trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us : And lead us not into temptation ; 
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

[Then let the Minister conclude with extemporary 
prayer.] 



112 Matrimony, Ch. 3. 

SECTION III. 

The farm of Solemnization of Matrimony. 

First, the banns of all that arc to be married toge- 
ther, must be published in the congregation, thrci 
several Sundays in the time of divine service, 
(unless they be otherwise qualified according to 
law,) the minister saying after the accustomed 
manner, 

I publish the banns of marriage between 

31 of and N of . If any of you 

know cause or just impediment, why these 
two persons should not be joined together in 
holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This 
is the first [second or third'] time of asking. 

At the day and time appointed for solemnization of 
Matrimony, the persons to be married standing to- 
gether, the man on the right hand, and the woman 
on the left, the Minister shall say, 

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together 
here in the sight of God, and in the presence 
of these witnesses, to join together this man 
and this woman in holy matrimony : which 
is an honourable estate, instituted of God in 
the time of man's innocency, signifying unto 
us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ 
and his church ; which holy estate Christ 
adorned and beautified with his presence, and 
first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Gali- 
lee, and is commended of St. Paul to be hon- 



Sec. 3. Matrimony. 113 

ourable among all men ; and therefore is not 
by any to be enterprised, or taken in hand 
unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, ad 
visedly, and in the fear of God. 

Into which holy estate these two persons 
present come now to be joined. Therefore 
if any can show any just cause why they may 
not lawfully be joined together, let him now 
speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his 
peace. 

And also speaking unto tlie persons that are to be 
married, he shall say, 

I require and charge you both (as you will 
answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when 
the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed) 
that if either of you know any impediment 
why you may not be lawfully joined together 
in matrimony, you do now confess it : for be 
ye well assured, that so many as are coupled 
together otherwise than God's word doth al- 
low, are not joined together by God, neither 
is their matrimony lawful. 

If no impediment he alleged, then shall the Minister 
say unto the man, 

M. Wilt thou have this woman to thy 
wedded wife, to live together after God's ordi- 
nance, in the holy estate of matrimony ? Wilt 
thou love her, comfort he*, honour, an J keep 



114 Matrimony. Ch. 3 

her, in sickness and in health ; and, forsak- 
ing all other, keep thee only unto her, so long 
as ye both shall live ? 

The man shall answer, 

I will. 

Then shall the Minister say unto the icoman, 

N. Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded 
husband, to live together after God's ordi- 
nance, in the holy estate of Matrimony ? 
Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love, honour, 
and keep him, in sickness and in health ; 
and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto 
him, so long as ye both shall live ? 

The woman shall answer , 

I will. 

Then the Minister shall cause the man with his right 
hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to 
say after him as followeth : 

I M. take thee N. to be my wedded wife, 
to have and to hold, from this day forward, 
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in 
sickness, and in health, to love and to cherish, 
till death us do part, according to God's holy 
ordinance : and thereto 1 plight thee my 
faith. 

Then shall they loose their hands, and the woman 
with her right hand taking the man by his right 
hand t shall likeioise say after the minister : 



Sec. 3. Matrimony. 115 

I N. take thee 31. to be my wedded hus- 
band, to have and to hold from this day for- 
ward, for better, for worse, for richer, for 
poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, 
cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, 
according to God's holy ordinance : and 
thereto I give thee my faith. 

Then shall the Minister say, 
Let us pray. 

O, Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of 
all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the 
Author of everlasting life ; send thy blessing 
upon these thy servants, this man and this 
woman, whom we bless in thy name ; that as 
Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, 
so these persons may surely perforin and keep 
the vow and covenant betwixt them made, 
and may ever remain in perfect love and 
peace together, and live according to thy laws, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 

Then shall the Minister join their right hands toge 
titer, and say, 

Those whom God hath joined together, let 
no man put asunder. 

Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented 
together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed 
the same before God and this company, and 
thereto have pledged their faith either to 



116 Matrimony. Ch. 3. 

other, and have declared the same by joining 
of hands ; I pronounce that they are man and 
wife together, in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

And the Minister shall add this blessing : 

God the Father, God the Son, God the 
Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you ; 
the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon 
you, and so fill you with all spiritual benedic- 
tion and grace, that ye may so live together 
in this life, that in the world to come ye may 
have life everlasting. Amen. 

Then the Minister shall say, 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy will 
be done on earth, as it is in heaven : give us 
this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our 
trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us : and lead us not into temptation ; 
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister say, 

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of 
Jacob, bless this man and this woman, and 
sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts, 
that whatsoever in thy holy Word they shall 
profitably learn, they may indeed fulfil the 
same. Look, O Lord, mercifully on them 



Sec. 3. Matrimony. 117 

from heaven, and bless them : and as thou 
didst send thy blessings upon Abraham and 
Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe to 
send thy blessings upon this man and this 
woman, that they, obeying thy will, and al- 
ways being in safety under thy protection, 
may abide in thy love unto their lives' end, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who by thy mighty power, hast 
made all things of nothing ; who also (after 
other things set in order) didst appoint that 
out of man (created after thine own image 
and similitude) woman should take her be- 
ginning ; and, knitting them together, didst 
teach that it should never be lawful to put 
asunder those whom thou by matrimony hadst 
made one : O God, who has consecrated the 
state of matrimony to such an excellent mys- 
tery, that in it is signified and represented 
the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt 
Christ and his Church : look mercifully upon 
this man and this woman; that this man may 
love his wife, according to thy Word, (as 
Christ did love his Spouse the Church, who 
gave himself for it ; loving and cherishing it, 
even as his own flesh,) and also that this wo- 
man may be loving and amiable, faithful and 
obedient to her husband ; and in all quiet- 
ness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of 
holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them 



118 Burial of the Dead. Ch. 3 

both, and grant them to inherit thy everlast- 
ing kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Then shall the Minister say, 

Almighty God, who at the beginning did 
create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and 
did sanctify and join them together in mar- 
riage, pour upon you the riches of his grace, 
sanctify and bless you, that ye may please 
him both in body and soul, and live together 
in holy love unto your lives' end. Amen. 



The Order of the Burial of the Dead. 

N. B. The following or some other solemn Service 
shall be used. 

The Minister meeting the corpse, and going before 
it, shall say, 

I am the resurrection and the life, saith 
the Lord : he that believeth in me, though 
he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whoso- 
ever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never 
die, John xi, 25, 26. 

I know that my Redeemer liveth and that 
he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : 
and though, after my skin, worms destroy 
this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; 



Sec. 4. Burial of the dead. 119 

whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes 
shall behold, and not another, Job xix, 25, 
26, 27. 

We brought nothing into this world, and 
it is certain we can carry nothing out. The 
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away : 
blessed be the name of the Lord, 1 Tim. 
vi, 7; Job i, 21. 

At the grave, when the corpse is laid in the earth, the 
Minister shall say, 

Man that is born of a woman hath but a 
short time to live, and is full of misery. He 
cometh up, and is cut down like a flower : 
he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never con- 
tinueth in one stay. 

In the midst of Hie we are in death : of 
whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, 
O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? 

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most 
mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, 
deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal 
death. 

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our 
hearts : shut not thy merciful ears to our 
prayers, but spare us, Lord most holy, O God 
most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, 
thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not 
at our last hour for any pains of death to fall 
from thee. 



120 Burial of the dead. Ch. 3. 

Then shall he said, 

1 heard a voice from heaven, saying unto 
me, Write ; From henceforth blessed are the 
dead who die in the Lord : even so, saith the 
Spirit ; for they rest from their labours. 

Then shall the Minister say, 

Lord have mercy upon us. 
Christ have mercy upon us. 
Lord have mercy upon us. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy will 
be done on earth as it is in heaven : give us 
mis day our daily bread, and forgive us our 
trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us : and lead us not into temptation ; 
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

The Collect. 

O merciful God, the father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the 
life ; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, 
though he die : and whosoever liveth and be- 
lieveth in him, shall not die eternally. We 
meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us 
from the death of sin unto the life of right- 
eousness ; that when we shall depart this life 
we may rest in him ; and at the general re- 
surrection on the last day may be found 
acceptable in thy sight, and receive that 



Sec. 1. Ordination of Deacons % 121 

blessing which thy well beloved Son shall 
then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, 
saying, Come ye blessed children of my 
Father, receive the kingdom prepared for 
you from the beginning of the world. Grant 
this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, 
through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Re- 
deemer. Amen. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
the love of God, and the fellowship of the 
Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE FORM AND MANNER 

OF MAKING AND ORDAINING OF BISHOPS ELDERS, 
AND DEACONS. 

SECTION I. 

The Form and Manner of making of Deacons. 

[When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, 
there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring 
the Duty and Office of such as come to be admitted 
Deacons.] 

After which, one of the Elders shall present unto the 
Bishop the persons to be ordained Deacons, and 
their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say 
unto the people . 

Brethren, if there be any of you who know- 
eth any impediment or crime in any of these 



122 Ordination of Deacons. Ch. 4. 

persons presented to be ordained Deacons, 
for the which he ought not to be admitted to 
that office, let him come forth in the name of 
God, and show what the crime or impedi- 
ment is. 

[If any crime or impediment be objected, the 
Bishop shall surcease from ordaining that person, 
until such time as the party accused shall be found 
clear of that crime.] 

Then shall be read the following Collect and Epistle. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, who by thy divine Provi- 
dence hast appointed divers orders of minis- 
ters in thy church, and didst inspire thy 
apostles to choose into the order of Deacons, 
thy first martyr St. Stephen, with others: 
Mercifully behold these thy servants, now 
called to the like office and administration ; 
replenish them so with the truth of thy doc- 
trine, and adorn them with innocency of life, 
that both by word and good example, they 
may faithfully serve thee in this office to the 
glory of thy name, and the edification of thy 
church, through the merits of our Saviour 
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with 
thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. 
Amen. 



Sec. 1. Ordination of Deacons. 123 

The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii, 8-13. 

Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not 
double tongued, not given to much wine, not 
greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery 
of the faith in a pure conscience. And let 
these also first be proved ; then let them use 
the office of a Deacon, being found blame- 
less. Even so must their wives be grave, not 
slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let 
the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, 
ruling their children and their own houses 
well. For they that have used the office of 
a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good 
degree, and great boldness in the faith, which 
is in Christ Jesus. 

Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those 
who are to be ordained, in the presence of the peo- 
ple, after this manner following : 

Do you trust that you are inwardly moved 
by the Holy Ghost, to take upon you the office 
of the ministry in the church of Christ, to 
serve God for the promoting of his glory and 
the edifying of his people ? 

Answ. I trust so. 

The Bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe 
all the canonical Scriptures of the Old and 
New Testament ? 

Ansrv. I do believe them. 

The Bislwp. Will you diligently read or 



124 Ordination of Deacons. Ch. 4. 

expound the same unto the people whom you 
shall be appointed to serve ? 

Answ. I will. 

The Bishop. It appertaineth to the office 
of a Deacon to assist the Elder in divine 
service. And especially, when he minister- 
eth the holy communion, to help him in the 
distribution thereof, and to read and expound 
the Holy Scriptures ; to instruct the youth, 
and in the absence of the Elder to baptize. 
And furthermore, it is his office, to search 
for the sick, poor, and impotent, that they 
may be visited and relieved. — Will you da 
this gladly and willingly? 

Answ. I will do so by the help of God. 

The Bishop. Will you apply all your dili- 
gence to frame and fashion your own lives 
(and the lives of your families) according to 
the doctrine of Christ ; and to make (both) 
yourselves (and them) as much as in you 
lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of 
Christ 1 

Answ. I will do so, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The Bishop. Will you reverently obey 
them to whom the charge and government 
over you is committed, following with a glad 
mind and will, their godly admonitions ? 

Answ. I will endeavour so to do, the Lord 
being my helper. 



Sec. 1. Ordination of Ded cons. 125 

Then the Bishop, laying his hands severally upon the 
head of every one of them, shall say, 

Take thou authority to execute the office 
of a Deacon in the church of God ; In the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of thevi 
the Holy Bible, saying, 

Take thou authority to read the Holy 
Scriptures in the church of God, and to 
preach the same. 

Then one of them appointed by the Bishop shall read 
the Gospel. Luke xii, 35-38. 

Let your loins be girded about, and your 
lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto 
men that wait for their Lord, when he will 
return from the wedding, that when he Com- 
eth and knocketh, they may open unto him 
immediately. Blessed are those servants, 
whom the Lord when he cometh shall find 
watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall 
gird himself, and make them to sit down to 
meat, and will come forth and serve them. — 
And if he shall come in the second watch, or 
come in the third watch, and find them so, 
blessed are those servants* 

[Then shall the Bishop proceed in the commu- 
nion, and all that are ordained shall receivo the holy 
communion.] 



126 Ordination of Deacons. Ch. 4. 

The communion ended, immediately before the bene 
diction shall be said these collects following : 

Almighty God, giver of all good things, 
who of thy great goodness hast vouchsafed to 
accept and take these thy servants into the 
office of Deacons in thy church : make them, 
we beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest, hum- 
ble, and constant in their ministration, and 
to have a ready will to observe all spiritual 
discipline; that they having always the tes- 
timony of a good conscience, and continuing 
ever stable and strong in thy Son Christ, may 
so well behave themselves in this inferior 
office, that they may be found worthy to be 
called into the higher ministries in thy church, 
through the same thy Son our Saviour Jesus 
Christ ; to whom be glory and honour, world 
without end. Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with 
thy most gracious favour, and further us with 
thy continual help; that in all our works 
begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may 
glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy 
mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The peace of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding, keep your hearts and minds in 
the knowledge and love of God, and of his 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the bless- 
ing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, 



Sec. 2. Ordination of Elders. 127 

and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and re- 
main with you always. Amen. 



SECTION II. 

The Form and Manner of Ordaining Elders. 

[When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, 
there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring 
the duty and office of such as come to be admitted 
Elders : how necessary that order is in the church 
of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem 
them in their office.] 

After which, one of the Elders shall present unto tha Bishop all 
them that are to be ordained, and say, 

I present unto you these persons present 
to be ordained Elders. 

Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall 
say unto the people. 

Brethren, these are they whom we purpose, 
God willing, this day to ordain Elders. For 
after due examination, we find not to the 
contrary, but that they are Lawfully called to 
this function and ministry, and that they are 
persons meet for the same. But if there be 
any of you, who knoweth any impediment or 
crime in any of them, for the which he ought 
not to be received into this holy ministry, let 
him come forth in the name of God, and 
show what the crime or impediment is. 



128 Ordination of Elders. Ch. 4. 

(Tf any crime or impediment be objected, the 
Bishop shall surcease from ordaining that person 
until such time as the party accused shall be found 
clear of the crime.] 

Then shall be said the collect, epistle, and gospel, 
as follotceth. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, giver of all good things, 
who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers 
orders of ministers in thy church ; mercifully 
behold these thy servants now called to the 
office of Elders, and replenish them so with 
the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them 
with innocency of life, that both by word and 
good example they may faithfully serve thee 
in this office, to the glory of thy name, and 
the edification of thy church, through the 
merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who iiveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, 
world without end. Amen. 

The Epistle. Eph. iv, 7-13. 

Unto every one of us is given grace accord- 
ing to the measure of the gift of Christ. 
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up 
on high, he led captivity captive, and gave 
gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, 
what is it but that he also descended first 
into the lower parts of the earth ? He that 
descended, is the same also that ascended up 



Sec. 2. Ordination of Elders. 129 

far above all heavens, that he might fill all 
things.) And he gave some apostles ; and 
some prophets; and some evangelists; and 
some pastors and teachers ; for the perfecting 
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for 
the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all 
come in the unity of the faith, and of the 
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect 
man, unto the measure of the stature of the 
fulness of Christ. 

After this shall be read for the Gospel, part of the 

tenth chapter of St. John. 

St. John x, 1-16. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that en- 
tereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but 
climbeth up some other way, the same is a 
thief and a robber. But he that entercth in 
by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. 
To him the porter opeueth, and the sheep 
hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep 
by name, and leadeth them out. And when 
lie putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth be- 
fore them, and the sheep follow him, for they 
know his voice. And a stranger will they 
not follow, but flee from him, for they know 
not the voice of strangers. — This parable 
spake Jesus unto them, but they understood 
not what things they were which he spake 
unto them. Then said Jesus unto them 
again, Ve?ily, verily, I say unto you, I am 



130 Ordination of Elders. Ch. 4. 

the door of the sheep. All that ever came 
before me are thieves and robbers, but the 
sheep did not hear them. I am the door ; 
Dy me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, 
and shall go in and out and find pasture.— 
The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kilJ, 
and to destroy ; I am come that they might 
have life, and that they might have it more 
abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the 
good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 
But he that is an hireling, and not the shep- 
herd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the 
wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and 
fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, and scat- 
tereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth because 
he is an hireling, and careth jiot for the 
sheep. — I am the good shepherd, and know 
my sheep, and am known of mine. As the 
Father knoweth me, even so know I the Fa- 
ther : and I lay down my life for the sheep. 
And other sheep I have which are not of this 
fold ; them also I must bring, and they shall 
hear my voice, and there shall be one fold 
and one shepherd. 

And that done, the Bishop shall say unto them as 
\ hereof ter follow eth : 

You have heard, brethren, as well in your 
private examination, as in the exhortation 
which was now made to you, and in the holy 
lessons taken out of the gospel, aftd the writ- 



Sec. 2. Ordination of Elders. 131 

ings of the apostles, of what dignity, and of 
how great importance this office is whereunto 
ye are called. And now again we exhort you 
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that 
you have in remembrance, into how high a 
dignity, and to how weighty an office ye are 
called: That is to say, to be messengers, 
watchmen, and stewards of the Lord, to teach 
and to premonish, to feed, and provide for the 
Lord's family, to seek for Christ's sheep that 
are dispersed abroad, and for his children 
who are in the midst of this evil world, that 
they may be saved through Christ for ever. 

Have always therefore printed in your re- 
membrance, how great a treasure is com- 
mitted to your charge. — For they are the 
sheep of Christ, which he bought with his 
death, and for whom he shed his blood. The 
church and congregation whom you must 
serve, is his spouse and his body. And if it 
shall happen, the same church, or any mem- 
ber thereof, do take any hurt or hindrance 
by reason of your negligence, ye know the 
greatness of the fault, and also the horrible 
punishment that will ensue. Wherefore con- 
sider with yourselves the end of the ministry 
towards the children of God, towards the 
spouse and body of Christ ; and see that you 
never cease your labour, your care, and dili- 
gence, until you have 'done all that lieth in 



132 Ordination of Elders. Ch. 4. 

you, according to your bounden duty, to bring 
all such as are or shall be committed to your 
charge, unto that agreement in the faith and 
knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and 
perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no 
place left among you, either for error in reli- 
gion, or for viciousness in life. 

Forasmuch then as your office is both of so 
great excellency, and of so great difficulty, 
ye see with how great care and study ye 
ought to apply yourselves, as well that ye may 
show yourselves dutiful and thankful unto 
that Lord, who hath placed you in so high a 
dignity ; as also to beware that neither you 
yourselves offend, nor be occasion that others 
offend. Howbeit ye cannot have a mind and 
will thereto of yourselves ; for that will and 
ability is given of God alone ; therefore ye 
ought, and have need to pray earnestly for 
his Holy Spirit. And seeing that ye cannot 
by any other means compass the doing of so 
weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation 
of man, but with doctrine and exhortation 
taken out of the holy Scriptures, and with a 
life agreeable to the same ; consider how 
studious ye ought to be in reading and learn- 
ing the Scriptures, and in framing the man- 
ners both of yourselves, and of them that 
specially pertain unto you, according to the 
rule of the same Scriptures ; and for this sell 



Sec. 2. Ordination of Elders. 133 

same cause, how ye ought to forsake and set 
aside (as much as you may) all worldly cares 
and studies. 

We have good hope that you have all 
weighed and pondered these things with 
yourscJves long before this time : and that 
you have clearly determined, by God's grace, 
to give yourselves wholly to this office, where- 
unto it hath pleased God to call you : so that, 
as much as lieth in you, you will apply your- 
selves wholly to this one thing, and draw all 
your cares and studies this way, and that you 
will continually pray to God the Father, by 
the mediation of our only Saviour Jesus 
Christ, for the heavenly assistance of the 
Holy Ghost; that by daily reading and weigh- 
ing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and 
stronger in your ministry ; and that ye may 
so endeavour yourselves from time to time to 
sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to 
fashion them after the rule and doctrine of 
Christ, that ye may be wholesome and godly 
examples and patterns for the people to fol- 
low. 

And now that this present congregation of 
Christ, here assembled, may also understand 
your minds and wills in these things, and that 
this your promise may the more move you to 
do your duties : ye shall answer plainly to 
these things which we, in the name of God 



134 Ordination of Elders. Ch. 4. 

and his church, shall demand of you touch- 
ing the same. 

Do you think in your heart, that you are 
truly called, according to the will of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, to the order of Elders ? 

-4715/6'. I think so. 

Tlie Bishop. Are you persuaded that the 
Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doc- 
trine required of necessity for eternal salva- 
tion through faith in Jesus Christ ? And are 
you determined out of the said Scriptures to 
instruct the people committed to your charge, 
and to teach nothing as required of necessity 
to eternal salvation, but that which you shall 
be persuaded, may be concluded and proved 
by the Scripture ? 

Answ. I am so persuaded, and have so de- 
termined by God's grace. 

The Bishop. Will you then give your faith- 
ful diligence always so to minister the doc- 
trine and sacraments, and discipline of Christ, 
as the Lord hath commanded 1 

Answ. I will so do by the help of the 
Lord. 

The Bishop. Will you be ready with all 
faithful diligence, to banish and drive away 
all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary 
to God's word ; and to use both public and 
private monitions and exhortations, as well 
to the sick as to the whole within your 



Sec. 2. Ordination of Elders. 135 

charge, as need shall require and occasion 
shall be given 1 

Answ. I will, the Lord being my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you be diligent in pray- 
ers, and in reading of the holy Scriptures, 
and in such studies as help to the knowledge 
of the same, laying aside the study of the 
world and the flesh ? 

Answ. I will endeavour so to do, the Lord 
being my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you be diligent to frame 
and fashion yourselves, and your families, 
according to the doctrine of Chrisfc: and to 
make both yourselves and them, as much as 
in you lieth, wholesome examples and pat- 
terns to the flock of Christ ? 

Answ. I shall apply myself thereto, the 
Lord being my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you maintain and set 
forward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, 
peace, and love, among all Christian people, 
and especially among them that are or shall 
be committed to your charge 1 

Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you reverently obey your 
chief ministers, unto whom is committed the 
charge and government over you ; following 
with a glad mind and will their godly admo- 
nitions, submitting yourselves to their godly 
judgments ? 



136 Ordination of Elders. Ch. 4 

Answ. I will so do, ihe Lord being my 
helper. 

Then shall the Bishop, standing vp, say, 

Almighty God, who hath given you this 
will to do all these things, grant also, unto 
you strength and power to perform the same ; 
that he may accomplish his work which he 
hath begun in you, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

[After this the congregation shall be desired 
secretly in their prayers, to make their humble sup- 
plications to (rod for all these things : for the which 
prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.] 

After which shall be said by the Bishop, (the per- 
sons to be ordained Elders all kneeling,) Veni 
Creator, Spirttus, the Bishop beginning, and the 
Elders and others that are present, answering by 
verse, as followeth : 

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, 
And lighten with celestial fire. 
Thou the anointing Spirit art, 
Who dost thy seven fold gifts impart. 
Thy blessed unction from above 
Is comfort , life, and fire of love. 
Enable with perpetual light 
The dulness of our blinded sight , 
Anoint and cheer our soiled face 
With the abundance of thy grace : 
Keep far our foes, give peace at home, 
Where thou art Guide, no ill can come. 



Sec. 2. Ordination of Elders. 137 

Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And thee, of both to be but one : 
That through the ages all along, 
This may be our endless song : 
Praise to thy eternal merit, 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say, 
Let us pray. 
Almighty God and heavenly Father, who 
of thine infinite love and goodness towards 
us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly 
beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our Redeem- 
er, and the author of everlasting life ; who 
after he had made perfect our redemption by 
his death, and was ascended into heaven, 
sent abroad into the world his apostles, 
prophets, evangelists, doctors, and pastors, 
by whose labour and ministry he gathered to- 
gether a great flock in all parts of the world, 
to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy 
name : for these so great benefits of thy eternal 
goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed 
to call these thy servants here present to the 
same office and ministry appointed for the 
salvation of mankind, we render unto thee 
most hearty thanks : we praise and worship 
thee ; and we humbly beseech thee by the 
same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, who 
either here or elsewhere call upon thy Name, 
that we may continue to show ourselves 



138 Ordination of Elders. CL. 4. 

thankful unto thee for these and all other thy 
benefits, and that we may daily increase and 
go forward in the knowledge and faith of 
thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit. So 
that as well by these thy ministers, as by them 
over w horn they shall be appointed thy min- 
isters, thy holy name may be for ever glorified, 
and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through 
the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord : 
who liveth and reigneth with thee in the 
unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without 
end. Amen. 

When this prayer is done, the Bishop with the El- 
ders present, shall lay their hands severally upon 
the head of every one that receiveth the order of 
Elders : the Receivers humbly kneeling upon their 
knees, and the Bishop saying, 

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost 
for the office and work of an Elder in the 
church of God, now committed unto thee by 
the imposition of our hands. And be thou 
a faithful dispenser, of the word of God, 
and of his holy sacraments ; In the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
<3host. Amen. 

Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them, 
kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying, 

Take thou authority to preach the Word 
ofGod, and to administer the holy sacraments 
in the congregation. 



Sec. 2. Ordination of Elders. 139 

Then the Bishop shall say, 
Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to 
send upon these thy servants thy heavenly 
blessings, that they may be clothed with 
righteousness, and that thy Word spoken by 
their mouths, may have such success, that it 
may never be spoken in vain. Grant also 
that we may have grace to hear and receive 
what they shall deliver out of thy most holy 
word, or agreeably to the same, as the means 
of our salvation ; and that in all our words 
and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the 
increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with 
thy most gracious favour, and further us with 
thy continual help, that in all our works be- 
gun, continued and ended in thee, we may 
glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy 
mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

The peace of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding, keep your hearts and minds in 
the knowledge and love of God, and of his 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing 
of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and 
the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain 
with you always. Amen, 

%* [If on the same day the order of Deacons be 
given to some, and that of Elders to others, the 



140 Ordination of Bishops. Ch. 4. 

Deacons shall be first presented, and then the Elders. 
The collects shall both be used : first that for Dea- 
cons, then that for Elders. The epistle shall be 
Ephes. iv, 7 to 13, as before in this office. Imme- 
diately after which, they that are to be ordained 
Deacons shall be examined and ordained as is 
above prescribed. Then one of them having read 
the Gospel, which shall be St. John x, 1, as before 
in this office : they that are to be ordained Elders, 
shall likewise be examined and ordained, as in this 
office before appointed.] 

SECTION III. 

The form of Ordaining a Bishop. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus 

Christ didst give to thy holy apostles many 

excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed 

thy flock ; give grace, we beseech thee, to 

all the ministers and pastors of thy church, 

that they may diligently preach thy word, 

and duly administer the godly discipline 

thereof; and grant to the people, that they 

may obediently follow the same ; that all 

may receive the crown of everlasting glory, 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall be read by one of the Elders, 

The Epistle. Acts xx, 17-35. 

From Miletus Paul sent to Epheeus and 

called the elders of the Church. — And when 

they were come to him, he said unto them > 



Sec. 3. Ordination of Bishops. 141 

Ye know, from the first day that I came into 
Asia, after what manner I have been with 
you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all 
humility of mind, and with many tears and 
temptations which befell me by the lying in 
wait of the Jews; and how I kept back no- 
thing that was profitable unto you, but have 
showed you, and have taught you publicly 
and from house to house, testifying both to 
the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance 
toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus 
Christ. And now behold I go bound in the 
Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the 
things that shall befall me there ; save that 
the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, 
saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 
But none of these things move me, neither 
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I 
might finish my course with joy, and the 
ministry which I have received of the Lord 
Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of 
God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, 
among whom I have gone preaching the 
kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that. 
I am pure from the blood of all men. For J 
have not shunned to declare unto you all the 
counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto 
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the 
which the Holy Ghost hath made you Over- 



142 Ordination of Bishops* Ch. 4, 

seers, to feed the Church of God which he 
hath purchased with his own blood. For I 
know this, that after my departing shall 
grievous wolves enter in among you, not 
sparing the flock. Also of your own selves 
shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to 
draw away disciples after them. Therefore 
watch, and remember that by the space of 
three years, I ceased not to warn every one 
night and day with tears. And now, brethren, 
I commend you to God, and to the word of 
his grace, which is able to build you up, and 
to give you an inheritance among them who 
are sanctified. I have coveted no man's sil- 
ver, or gold, or apparel : yea, ye yourselves 
know that these hands have ministered unto 
my necessities, and to them that were with 
me. I have showed you all things, how that 
so labouring ye ought to support the weak ; 
and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, 
how he said, It is more blessed to give than 
to receive. 

Then another shall read, 

The Gospel. St. John xxi, 15-17. 
Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of 
Jonas, lovest thou me more than these ! He 
saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest 
that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed 
my lambs. He saith unto him again the 



Sec. 3. Ordination of Bishops, 14 T 6 

second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou 
me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou 
knowest that 1 love thee — He saith unto him, 
Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third 
time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? 
Peter was grieved because he said unto him 
the third time, Lovest thou me ? And he said 
unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things : 
thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith 
unto him, Feed mv sheep. 

Or this: St -fatt. xxviii, 18-20. 

Jesus came and : ;>ake unto them, saying, 
All power is given nto me in heaven and in 
earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, 
baptizing them in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : 
teaching them to observe all things w r hatso- 
ever I have commanded you ; and lo, I am 
with you alway, even unto the end of the 
world. 
After the gospel and the sermon are ended, the 

elected person shall be presented by two Elders 

unto the Bishop, saying, 

We present unto you this holy man to be 
ordained a Bishop. 

Then the Bishop shall move the congregation pre- 
sent to pray, saying thus to them : 

Brethren, it is written in the gospel of 
Saint Luke, That our Saviour Christ con- 
tinued the whole night in prayer, before he 



144 Ordination of Bishops. Ch. 4. 

did choose and send forth his twelve apos- 
tles. It is written also in the Acts of the 
Apostles, that the disciples who were at An- 
tioch, did fast and pray, before they laid 
hands on Paul and Barnabas, and sent them 
forth. Let us, therefore, following the ex- 
ample of our Saviour Christ, and his apos- 
tles, first fall to prayer before we admit, and 
send forth this person presented to us, to the 
work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost 
hath called him. 

Then shall be said this prayer following : ' 

Almighty God, giver of all good things, 
who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers 
orders of ministers in thy church ; mercifully 
behold this thy servant now called to the 
work and ministry of a Bishop, and replenish 
him so with the truth of thy doctrine, and 
adorn him with innocency of life, that both 
by word and deed, he may faithfully serve 
thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, 
and the edifying and well governing of thy 
church, through the merits of our Saviour 
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with 
thee, and the Holy Ghost, world without 
end. Amen. 

Then the Bishop shall say to him that is to be or- 
dained : 

Brother, forasmuch as the holy Scripture 
commands that we should not be hasty in 



Sec. 3. Ordination of Bishops. 145 

laying on hands, and admitting any person 
to government in the church of Christ, which 
he hath purchased with no less price than 
the effusion of his own hlood ; before I admit 
you to this administration I will examine you 
on certain articles, to the end that the con- 
gregation present may have a trial, and bear 
witness how you are minded to behave your- 
self in the church of God. 

Are you persuaded that you are truly call- 
ed to this ministration, according to the will 
of our Lord Jesus Christ? 

Answ. I am so persuaded. 

The Bishop. Are you persuaded that the 
holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doc- 
trine required of necessity for eternal salva- 
tion, through faith in Jesus Christ? And are 
you determined out of the same holy Scrip- 
tures, to instruct the people committed to 
your charge, and to teach or maintain nothing 
as required of necessity to eternal salvation, 
but that which you shall be persuaded may 
be concluded and proved by the same ? 

Answ. I am so persuaded and determined 
by God's grace. 

The Bishop. Will you then faithfully ex- 
ercise yourself in the same holy Scriptures, 
and. call upon God by prayer for the true 
understanding of the same, so as you may be 

able bv them to teach and exhort with whole- 
10 



146 Ordination of Bishops. Ch. 4. 

some doctrine, and to withstand and convince 
the gainsayers ? 

Ansio. I will so do, by the help of God. 

The Bishop. Are you ready with faithful 
diligence, to banish and drive away all erro- 
neous and strange doctrines contrary to God's 
Word, and both privately and openly to call 
upon and encourage others to the same ? 

Answ. I am ready, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The Bishop. Will you deny all ungodliness 
and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteous- 
ly, and godly in this present world, that you 
may show yourself in all things an example 
of good works unto others, that the adver- 
sary may be ashamed, having nothing to say 
against you 1 

Ansic. I will so do, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The Bishop. Will you maintain and set 
forward as much as shall lie in you, quiet- 
ness, love, and peace among all men: and 
such as shall be unquiet, disobedient, and 
criminal wifhin your district, correct and 
punish according to such authority as you 
have by God's word, and as shall be com- 
mitted unto you 1 

Answ. I will so do, by the help of God. 

The Bishop. Will you be faithful in or- 
daining, sending, or laying hands upon others'? 



Sec. 3. Ordination of Bishops. 147 

Answ. I will so be by the help of God. 

The Bishop. Will you show yourself gen- 
tle, and be merciful for Christ's sake, to poor 
and needy people, and to all strangers desti- 
tute of help 1 

Answ. I will so show myself by God's 
help. 

Then the Bishop shall say, 
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who 
hath given you a good will to do all these 
things, grant also unto you strength and 
power to perform the same ; that he accom- 
plishing in you the good work which he hath 
begun, you may be found perfect and irre- 
prehensible at the last day, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall Vcni, Creator Spiritus, bo said. 

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, 

And lighten ivith celestial fire. 

Thou the anointing Spirit art, 

Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart. 

Thy blessed unction from above 

Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 

Enable with perpetual light 

The dulness of our blinded sight; 

Anoint and cheer our soiled face 

With the abundance of thy grace ; 

Keep far our ibes, give peace at home ; 



146 Ordination of Bishops. Ch. 4. 

Where thou art Guide, no ill can come. 
Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And thee of both to be but one ; 
That through the ages all along, 
This may be our endless ?ong ; 
Praise to thy eternal merit, 
Father , Son, and Holy Spirit. 

That ended, the Bishop shall say, 

Lord, hear our Prayer. 

Anm\ And let our cry come unto thee. 

Bishop. Let us pray. 

Almighty God and most merciful Father, 
who of thine infinite goodness hast given 
thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus 
Christ to be our Redeemer, and the Author 
of everlasting life ; who after that he had 
made perfect our redemption by his death, 
and was ascended into heaven, poured down 
his gifts abundantly upon men, making some 
apostles ; some prophets ; some evangelists ; 
some pastors, and doctors, to the edifying 
and making perfect his church : grant, we 
beseech thee, to this thy servant such grace 
that he may evermore be ready to spread 
abroad thy gospel, the glad tidings of recon- 
ciliation with thee, and use the authority 
given him, not to destruction, but to salva- 
lion ; not to hurt, but to help ; so that as a 



Sec. 3. Ordination of Bishops. 149 

wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family 
their portion in due season, he may at last be 
received into e/erlasting joy, through Jesus 
O'irist our Lord, who, with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, liveth and reigneth, One God, world 
without end. Amen, 

Then the Bishops and Elders present, shall lay their 
hands upon the head of the elected person, kneel- 
ing before them upon his knees, the Bishop saying, 

Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and 
work of a Bishop in the church of God now 
committed unto thee by the imposition of our 
hands, in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And 
remember that thou stir up the grace of God 
which is given thee by this imposition of our 
hands; for God hath not given us the spirit of 
fear, but of power, and love, and soberness. 

Then the Bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying, 

Give heed unto reading, exhortation, and 
doctrine. Think upon the things contained 
in this book. Be diligent in them, that the 
increase coming thereby may be manifest 
unto all men. Take heed unto thyself, and 
to thy doctrine ; for by so doing thou shah 
both save thyself and them that hear thee. 
Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a 
wolf: feed them, devour them not. Hold up 
the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, 



150 Ordination of Bishops. Ch. 4. 

bring again the outcast, seek the lost, be so 
merciful that you may not be too remiss ; 
so minister discipline that you forget not 
mercy ; that when the Chief Shepherd shal! 
appear, you may receive the never fading 
crown of glory, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

[Then the Bishop shall administer the Lord's Sup- 
per ; with whom the newly ordained Bishop, and 
other persons present, shall communicate.] 

Immediately before the Benediction, shall be said 
the following prayers. 

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to 
send down upon this thy servant thy heav- 
enly blessing, and so endue him with thy 
Holy Spirit, that he, preaching thy word, 
may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech 
and rebuke with all patience and doctrine, 
but also may be to such as believe a whole 
some example in word, in conversation, in; 
love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity ; that 
faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter 
day he may receive the crown of righteous- 
ness laid up by the Lord, the righteous Judge, 
who liveth and reigneth, One God with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, world without 
end. Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with 
thy most gracious favour, and farther us with 



Sec. 3. Ordination of Bishops. 151 

thy continual help, that in all our works 
begun, continued, and ended in thee, we 
may glorify thy holy Name ; and finally, by 
thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The peace of God, which passeth all under- 
standing, keep your hearts and minds in the 
knowledge and love of God, and of his Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing of 
God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain 
with you always. Amen. 



END OF THE SPIRITUAL PART. 



PART SECOND. 

THE TEMPORAL ECONOMY 

OF THE 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



SECTION I. 

Of the Boundaries of the Annual Confei'ences, fyc. 

1. The New- York Conference shall 
include the New-York, New-Haven, Rhine- 
beck, and Hudson river districts, Hudson 
station, and Ghent and Lee circuits. 

2. New-England Conference shall 
include all the state of Massachusetts, lying 
east of the Green Mountains, not included 
in the New-Hampshire Conference, and that 
part of Connecticut lying east of Connecticut 
river, and all the state of Rhode Island. 

3. Maine Conference shall include all 
the state of Maine, and that part of the state 
of New-Hampshire lying east of the White 
Hills, and north of the waters of the Ossipee 
lake. 

4. New-Hampshire Conference shall 
include all the state of New-Hampshire not 
included in the Maine Conference, that part 



164 Boundaries of the Part 2. 

of the state of Vermont east of the Green 
Mountains, and that part of the state of Mas- 
sachusetts north-east of the Merrimack river. 

5. Troy Conference shall include the 
Saratoga, Middlebury, and Plattsburg dis^ 
tricts, and that part of Troy district not in- 
cluded in the New- York Conference. 

6. Oneida Conference shall include that 
part of the state of New- York east of Cayuga 
lake, not included in the New- York and Troy 
Conferences, and the Susquehannah district 
in the state of Pennsylvania. 

7. Genesee Conference shall include 
that part of the state of New- York west of 
Cayuga lake, not included in the Pittsburg 
Conference, and the Tioga, Loyalsock, and 
Wellsborough circuits in the state of Penn- 
sylvania. 

8. Pittsburg Conference shall com- 
mence at the mouth of Cataraugus creek on 
lake Erie, thence to Olean point on Allegha- 
ny river, thence eastward to the top of the 
Alleghany Mountain, thence along the said 
mountain southward to the head of Tygart's 
Valley, thence to the Ohio river, so as to in- 
clude Middleburn circuit, thence to the mouth 
of little Muskingum, thence to the mouth of 
White Woman river, so as to include Wood- 
field, Summerfield, and Freeport circuits, 
thence northeastward between the waters oi 



Sec. 1. Annual Conferences. 155 

Tuskarawas and Mohegan to lake Erie, near 
the mouth of Cuyahoga so as to include 
Leesburg and Canton circuits, thence down 
the lake to the mouth of Cataraugus. 

9. Ohio Conference shall include the 
remainder of the state of Ohio, except Eliza- 
bethtown, that part of Virginia contained in 
the Kenhawa district, and the territory of 
Michigan, except St. Joseph's and Kalama- 
zoo missions. 

10. Indiana Conference shall include 
the state of Indiana, (except so much as is 
included in the Illinois Conference,) Eliza- 
bethtown in the state of Ohio, and the St. 
Joseph's and Kalamazoo missions in Michi- 
gan territory. 

11. Illinois Conference shall include 
the state of Illinois, the Paris and Eugene 
circuits in the state of Indiana, and the 
northwestern territory. 

12. Missouri Conference shall include 
the state of Missouri, the Missouri and Ar- 
kansaw territories. 

13. Kentucky Conference shall include 
the state of Kentucky, except so much of 
said state as lies west of the Tennessee river. 

14. Tennessee Conference shall in- 
clude west Tennessee, and that part of Ken- 
tucky lying west of' Tennessee river, and 
north Alabama. 



156 Boundaries of the Part 2. 

15. Holstein Conference shall include 
east Tennessee, and that part of the state of 
Georgia lying north of the Blue Ridge, and 
also what is now embraced in the Tugulo and 
Pickens circuits, and those parts of South 
Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, in- 
cluded in the Ashville and Abbington dis- 
tricts. 

16. Mississippi Conference* shall in- 
clude the state of Louisiana, and that part 
of Mississippi lying west of the dividing 
Ridge between Pearl and Leaf rivers, and 
thence with the said Ridge between Missis- 
sippi and Tombeckbee to the Tennessee line. 

17. Alabama Conference shall include 
South Alabama, that part of Mississippi not 
included in Mississippi Conference and West 
Florida. 

IS. Georgia Conference shall include 
the state of Georgia, (except what is em- 
braced in the Holstein Conference,) East and 
Middle Florida. 

19. South Carolina Conference shall 
include the state of South Carolina, (except 
so much as is included in the Tugulo, Green- 
ville, and Pickens circuits,) and that part of 
North Carolina not included in the Virginia 
and Holstein Conferences. 

20. The Virginia 'Conference shall 
include the circuits situated on the Yadkin 



Sec. 1. Jinnual Conferences. 167 

river, and that part of North Carolina lying 
north of Cape Fear river, except the town of 
Wilmington, and that part of Virginia lying 
south of Rappahannock river and east of the 
Blue Ridge, except Fredericksburg and Port 
Royal. 

21. Baltimore Conference shall in- 
clude the remaining part of Virginia, not in- 
cluded in the Virginia, Holstein, Ohio, Pitts- 
burg, and Philadelphia Conferences ; the 
western shore of Maryland, except a small 
portion included in the Pittsburg Conference, 
and that part of Pennsylvania lying east of the 
Alleghany mountain, and west of Susquehan- 
nah river, including Northumberland district. 

22. Philadelphia Conference shall in- 
clude the eastern shores of Maryland and 
Virginia, — the whole state of Delaware, and 
all that part of Pennsylvania lying between the 
Susquehannah and Delaware rivers, except 
so much as is included in the Baltimore and 
Oneida Conferences ; and all the state of 
New- Jersey, Staten Island, and so much of 
the state of New- York as now is or at any 
time may be included in the Haverstraw and 
Hamburg circuits. 

Quest. 2. How are the districts to be 
formed I 

Ansu\ According to the judgment of the 
bishops 



158 Building of Churches. Part 2. 

Incase there be no bishops to travel through 
the districts and exercise the episcopal office, 
on account of death or otherwise, the districts 
shall be regulated in every respect by the 
annual conferences and the presiding elders, 
in the interval of general conference, ordina- 
tion only excepted. 

Each annual conference shall pay its pro- 
portionate part towards the allowance of each 
one of the bishops. 



SECTION II 

Of building churches and the order to be observed 
therein. 

Quest. 1. Is any thing advisable in regard 
to building ? 

Answ. Let all our churches be built plain 
and decent, and with free seats ; but not more 
expensive than is absolutely unavoidable ; 
otherwise the necessity of raising money will 
make rich men necessary to us. But if so, 
we must be dependant on them, yea, and 
governed by them. And then farewell to 
Methodist discipline, if not doctrine too. 

2. In order more effectually to prevent our 
people from contracting debts which they are 
not able to discharge, it shall be the duty of 
the quarterly conference, of every circuit and 
station, where it is contemplated to build a 



Sec. 2. Building of Churches. 159 

house or houses of worship, to secure the 
ground or lot on which such house or houses 
are to be built, according to our deed of set- 
tlement, which deed must be legally executed ; 
and also said quarterly conference shall ap- 
point a judicious committee of at least three 
members of our church, who shall form an 
estimate of the amount necessary to build ; 
and three fourths of the money, according to 
such estimate, shall be secured or subscribed, 
before any such building shall be commenced. 

3. In future, we will admit no charter, deed, 
or conveyance, for any house of worship to be 
used by us, unless it be provided in such 
charter, deed, or conveyance, that the trustees 
of said house shall at all times permit such 
ministers and preachers belonging to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, as shall from 
time to time be duly authorized by the gene- 
ral conference of the ministers of our church, 
or by the annual conferences, to preach and 
expound God's holy word, and to execute the 
discipline of the church, and to administer 
the sacraments therein, according to the true 
meaning and purport of our deed of settle- 
ment. 

4. As it is contrary to our economy to build 
houses with pews to sell or rent, it shall be 
the duty of the several annual conferences, 
to use their influence to prevent houses from 



160 Building of Churches. Part 2. 

being so built in future ; and as far as possi- 
ble to make those houses free which have 
already been built with pews. 

5. No person shall be eligible as a trustee 
to any of our houses, churches, or schools, 
who is not a regular member of our church. 

6. No person who is a trustee shall be 
ejected while he is in joint security for money, 
unless such relief be given him as is demand- 
ed, or the creditor will accept. 

Quest. 2. Is there any exception to the 
rule, " Let the men and women sit apart?" 

Jlnsw. There is no exception. — Let them 
sit apart in all our churches. 

Quest. 3. Is there not a great indecency 
sometimes practised among us, viz. talking in 
the congregation before and after service ! 
How shall this be cured ? 

Jlnsw. Let all the ministers and preachers 
join as one man, and enlarge on the impro- 
priety of talking before or after service ; and 
strongly exhort those that are concerned, to 
do it no more. In three months, if we are in 
earnest, this vile practice will be banished out 
of every Methodist congregation. Let none 
stop till he has cani 3d his point. 

Quest. 4. What shall be done for the secu- 
rity of our preaching houses, and the premises 
belonging thereto ? 

Jlnsw. Let the following plan of a deed of 



Sec. 2. Deed of Settlement. 161 

settlement be brought into effect in all pos- 
sible cases, and as far as the laws of the states 
respectively will admit of it. — But each an- 
nual conference is authorized to make such 
modification in the deeds, as they may find 
the different usages and customs of law re- 
quire in the different states and territories, so 
as to secure the premises firmly by deed, and 
permanently to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, according to the true intent and 
meaning of the following form of a deed of 
settlement ; any thing in the said form to the 
contrary notwithstanding. 

This Indenture, made this 
day of in the year of our Lord 

one thousand hundred and 

between of the in the 

state of (if the grantor be mar- 

ried, insert the name of his wife) of the one 
part, and trustees, in trust 

for the uses and purposes herein after men- 
tioned, all of the in the state 
of aforesaid, of the other part, 
Witnesseth, that the said (if 
married, insert the name of his wife) for and 
in consideration of the sum of 
specie, to in hand paid, at 
and upon the sealing and delivery of these 
presents, the receipt whereof is hereby ac* 
knowledged, hath (or have) given, granted* 
11 



162 Deed of Settlement. Part 2, 

bargained, sold, released, confirmed, and con- 
veyed, and by these presents doth (or do) 
give, grant, bargain, sell, release, confirm, and 
convey unto them, the said 

and their successors, (trustees, 
in trust for the uses and purposes herein 
after mentioned and declared) all the estate, 
right, title, interest, property, claim, and de- 
mand whatsoever, either in law or equity, 
which he the said . (if married, 

here insert the name of his wife) hath (or 
have) in, to, or upon all and singular a 
certain lot, or piece of land, situate, lying, 
and being in the and state aforesaid, 

bounded and butted as follows, to wit, 
(here insert the several courses and dis- 
tances of the land to the place of beginning) 
containing and laid out for 
acres of land, together with all an,d singu- 
lar the houses, woods, waters, ways, privi- 
leges, and appurtenances thereto belonging, 
or in any wise pertaining : to have and 
to hold all and singular, the above men- 
tioned and described lot or piece of land, 
situate, lying, and being as aforesaid, to- 
gether with all and singular the houses, 
woods, waters, ways, and privileges thereto 
belonging, or in any wise appertaining, unto 
them the said and their successors 

in office for ever in trust, that they shall 



Sec. 2. Deed of Settlement, 103 

erect and build, or cause to be erected and 
built thereon, a house or place of worship 
for the use of the members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church in the United States of 
America, according to the rules and disci- 
pline which from time to time may be agreed 
upon and adopted by the ministers and 
preachers of the said church, at their gene- 
ral conferences in the United States of 
America ; and in farther trust and confi- 
dence that they shall nt all times, for ever 
hereafter, permit such ministers and preach- 
ers, belonging to the said church, as shall 
from time to time be duly authorized by the 
general conferences of the ministers and 
preachers of the said Methodist Episcopal 
Church, or by the annual conferences au- 
thorized by the said general conference, to 
preach and expound God's holy word there- 
in ; and in farther trust and confidence, that 
as often as any one o^ more of the trustees 
herein before mentioned shall die, or cease 
to be a member or members of the said 
church, according to the rules and discipline 
as aforesaid, then and in such case it shall 
be the duty of the stationed minister or 
preacher (authorized as aforesaid) who shall 
have the pastoral charge of the members of 
the said church, to call a meeting of the re- 
maining trustees, as soon as conveniently 



164 Deed of Settlement. Part 2. 

may be : and when so met, the said minister 
or preacher shall proceed to nominate one or 
more persons to fill the place or places of him 
or them whose office or offices has (or have) 
been vacated as aforesaid. Provided, the 
person or persons so nominated, shall have 
been one year a member or members of the 
said church immediately preceding such 
nomination, and be at least twenty- one years 
of age ; and the said trustees, so assembled, 
shall proceed to elect, and by a majority of 
votes, appoint the person or persons so nomi- 
nated to fill such vacancy or vacancies, in 
order to keep up the number of nine trustees 
for ever ; and in case of an equal number of 
votes for and against the said nomination, 
the stationed minister or preacher shall have 
the casting vote. 

Provided nevertheless, That if the said 
trustees, or any of them, or their successors, 
have advanced, or shall advance any sum or 
sums of money, or are or shall be responsible 
for any sum or sums of money, on account 
of the said premises, and they the said trus- 
tees, or their successors, be obliged to pay 
the said sums of money, they or a majority 
of them shall be authorized to raise the said 
sum or sums of money, by a mortgage on the 
said premises, or by selling the said premises, 
^ after notice given to the pastor or preacher 



Sec. 2. Deed of Settlement. 165 

who has the oversight of the congregation, 
attending divine service on the said premises, 
if the money due be not paid to the said 
trustees or their successors, within one year 
after such notice given : and if such sale 
take place, the said trustees or their success- 
ors, after paying the debt and other expenses, 
which are due from the money arising from 
such sale, shall deposit the remainder of the 
money produced by the said sale in the hands 
of the steward or stewards of the society be- 
longing to or attending divine service on said 
premises ; which surplus of the produce of 
such sale, so deposited in the hands of the 
said steward or stewards, shall be at the dis- 
posal of the next annual conference author- 
ized as aforesaid ; which said annual con- 
ference shall dispose of the said money, 
according to the best of their judgment, 
for the use of the said society. And the 
said doth by these presents warrant, 

and for ever defend, all and singular the 
before mentioned and described lot or piece 
of land, with the appurtenances thereto be- 
longing unto them the said and their 
successors, chosen and appointed as afore- 
said, from the claim or claims of him the 
said his heirs and assigns, and from 
the claim or claims of all persons, whatever. 
In testimony whereof the said 



166 Deed of Settlement. Part 2. 

(if married insert the name of his wife) 

have hereto set their hands and seals, the 

day and year aforesaid. 
Sealed and delivered in"] 

the presence of us ^ 

(Two witnesses.) J 

Grantor's (L. S.) 
his wife's (L. S.) 
Received the day of the date "j 

of the above written in- ! 

denture, the consideration j 

therein mentioned in full. J 
Witness.] Grantor's (L. S.) 

County, ss. 

Be it remembered, that on the 

day of in the year of our Lord 

one thousand personally appeared 

before me, one of the justices of the 
peace, in and for the county of and 

state of the within named the 

grantor (if married insert the name of 
his wife) and acknowledged the within 
deed of trust to be their act and deed, 
for the uses and purposes therein men- 
tioned and declared ; and she the said 
wife of the said being separate 

and apart from her said husband, by me 
examined, declared that she had made the 
same acknowledgment, freely and with 






Sec. 3. Steimrcls of Circuits. 167 

her own consent, without being induced 
thereto through fear or threats of her said 
husband. In testimony whereof I have 
hereto set my ha. J and seal, the day and 
year first above written. 
Here the justice's name. (L. S.) 

N. B. Let nine trustees be appointed for 
preaching houses, where proper persons can 
be procured ; otherwise seven or five. 

The board of trustees of every circuit or 
station shall be responsible to the quarterly 
meeting conference of said circuit or station, 
and shall be required to present a report of 
its acts during the preceding year : provided 
that in all cases, when a new board of trustees 
is to be created, it shall be done (except in 
those states and territories where the statutes 
provide differently) by the appointment of 
the preacher in charge, or the presiding elder 
of the district 

SECTION III. 

Of the Qualifications, Appointment, and Duty of the 
Stewards of Circuits. 

Quest. 1. What are the qualifications ne- 
cessary for stewards ] 

Jinsk\ Let them be men of solid piety, 
who both know and love the Methodist doc- 
trine and discipline, and of good natural and 



168 Stewards of Circuits. Part 2. 

acquired abilities to transact the temporal 
business. 

Quest. 2. How are the Stewards to be 
appointed ? 

Jinsw. The preacher having the charge oi 
the circuit, shall have the right of nomina- 
tion ; but the quarterly meeting conference 
shall confirm or reject, such nomination. 

Quest. 3. What are the duties of Stewards? 

Ansio. To take an exact account of all the 
money, or other provision collected for the 
support of preachers in the circuit ; to make 
an accurate return of every expenditure oi 
money, whether to the preachers, the sick, 
or the poor ; to seek the needy and distress- 
ed, in order to relieve and comfort them ; to 
inform the preachers of any sick or disorder- 
Jy persons ; to tell the preachers what they 
think wrong in them ; to attend the quarterly 
meetings of their circuit; to give advice, if 
asked, in planning the circuit; to attend 
committees for the application of money to 
churches; to give counsel in matters of arbi- 
tration ; provide elements for the Lord's Sup- 
per ; to write circular letters to the societies 
in the circuit to be more liberal if need be ; 
as also to let them know, when occasion re- 
quires, the state of the temporal concerns at 
the last quarterly meeting ; to register the 
marriages and baptisms, and to be subject to 



Sec. 4. Allowance to Ministers. 169 

the bishops, the presiding elder of their dis- 
trict, and the elder, deacon, and travelling 
preachers of their circuit. 

Quest. 4. To whom are the Stewards ac- 
countable for the faithful performance of their 
duties ? 

A:*sw. To the quarterly meeting confer- 
ence of the circuit or station, which shall 
have power to dismiss or change them at 
pleasure. 

Quest. 5. What number of Stewards are 
necessary in each circuit 1 

Answ. Not less than three, or more than 
seven, one of whom shall be the recording 
Steward. 



SECTION IV. 

Of the allowance to the Ministers and Preachers 
and to their Wives, Widows, and Children. 

1. The annual allowance of the travelling 
preachers shall be one hundred dollars, and 
their travelling expenses. 

2. The annual allowance of the wives of 
travelling preachers shall be one hundred 
dollars ; but this provision shall not apply 
to the wives of those preachers who were 
single when they were received on trial, ana 
marry under four years, until the expiration 
of said four years. 



170 Allowance to Ministers. Part 2 

3. Each child of a travelling preacher 
shall be allowed sixteen dollars annually, 
to the age of seven years, and twenty-four 
dollars annually from the age of seven to 
fourteen years ; and those preachers whose 
wives are dead, shall be allowed for each 
child annually a sum sufficient to pay the 
board of such child or children, during the 
above term of years : Nevertheless, this rule 
shall not apply to the children of preachers 
whose families are provided for by other 
means, in their circuits respectively. 

4. The allowance of superannuated, worn 
out, and supernumerary preachers, shall be 
one hundred dollars annually. 

5. The annual allowance of the wives of 
superannuated, worn out, and supernumerary 
preachers, shall be one hundred dollars. 

6. The annual allowance of the widows 
of travelling, superannuated, worn out, and 
supernumerary preachers, shall be one hun- 
dred dollars. 

7. The orphans of travelling, supernume- 
rary, superannuated, and worn out preachers, 
shall be allowed by the annual conferences, 
the same sums respectively which are allowed 
to the children of living preachers. And on 
the death of a preacher leaving a child or 
children without so much of worldly goods as 
should be necessary to his, her, or their sup- 



Sec. 5. Raising Annual Supplies. 171 

port, the annual conference of which he was 
a member, shall raise, in such manner as may 
be deemed best, a yearly sum for the subsist- 
ence and education of such orphan child or 
children, until he, she, or they, shall have 
arrived at fourteen years of age. The amount 
of which yearly sum shall be fixed by a com- 
mittee of the conference at each session in 
advance. 

8. The more effectually to raise the amount 
necessary to meet the above mentioned al- 
lowances, let there be made weekly class 
collections in all our societies where it is 
practicable ; and also for the support of mis- 
sions and missionary schools under our care. 

9. Local preachers have an allowance in 
certain cases, as mentioned section 8, p. 188. 



section v. 

Of raising Annual Supplies for the propagation of 
the Gospel, making up the allowance of the preach- 
ers, $c. 

1. Every preacher who has the charge of 
a circuit, shall earnestly recommend to every 
class or society in his circuit, to raise a 
quarterly or annual collection by voluntary 
contribution, or in such other way or manner 
as they may judge most expedient from time 
to time ; and the moneys so collected shall 



172 Raising Annual Supplies. Part 2. 

be lodged with the steward or stewards of the 
circuit, to be brought or sent to the annual 
conferences, with a regular account of the 
sums raised for this purpose, in the classes 
or societies respectively. 

2. Wherever there remains in the hands 
of the stewards a surplus of the moneys raised 
for the use of the circuit preachers, after pay- 
ing the allowances of the preachers in the 
circuit, let such surplus be brought or sent 
to the annual conference. 

3. Every preacher who has the charge of 
a circuit, shall make a yearly collection, and 
if expedient, a quarterly one, in every con- 
gregation, where there is a probability that 
the people will be willing to contribute ; and 
the money so collected shall be lodged in the 
hands of the steward or stewards, and brought 
or sent to the ensuing annual conference. To 
this end, he may read and enlarge upon the 
following bints : 

" How shall we send labourers into those 
parts where they are most of all wanted ? 
Many are willing to hear, but not to bear the 
expense. Nor can it as yet be expected of 
them. Stay till the word of God has touched 
their hearts, and then they will gladly provide 
for them that preach it. Does it not lie upon 
us, in the mean time, to supply their lack of 
service 1 To raise money, out of which, from 



Sec. 5. Raising Annual Supplies. 173 

time to time, that expense may be defrayed ? 
By this means, those who willingly offer them- 
selves, may travel through every part, whether 
there be societies or not, and stay wherever 
there is a call, without being burdensome to 
any. Thus may the Gospel, in the life and 
power thereof, be spread from sea to sea. 
Which of you will not rejoice to throw in 
your mite to promote this glorious work ? 

11 Beside this, in carrying on so large a 
work through the continent, there are calls 
for money in various ways, and we must fre- 
quently be at a considerable expense, or the 
work must be at a full stop. Many too are 
the occasional distresses of our preachers, or 
their families, which require an immediate 
supply, otherwise their hands would hang 
down, if they were not constrained to depart 
from the work. 

44 The money contributed will be brought 
to the ensuing conference. 

"Men and brethren, help! Was there ever 
a call like this since you first heard the Gos- 
pel sound 1 Help to relieve your companions 
in the kingdom of Jesus, who are pressed 
above measure. Bear ye one another's bur- 
dens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Help 
to send forth able and willing labourers into 
your Lord : s harvest : so shall ye be assist- 
ants in saving souls from death, and hiding 



174 Raising Annual Supplies. Part 2. 

a multitude of sins. Help to propagate the 
Gospel of your salvation to the remotest 
corners of the earth, till the knowledge of our 
Lord shall cover the land, as the waters cover 
the sea. So shall it appear to ourselves and 
all men, that we are indeed one body, united 
by one spirit; so shall the baptized Heathens 
be yet again constrained to say, ' See how 
these Christians love one another !' " 

4. A public collection shall be made at 
every annual and every general conference, 
for the above purposes. 

5. Let the annual produce of the charter 
fund, as divided among the several confer* 
ences, be applied with the above contribu- 
tions : but so as not to militate against the 
rules of the charter fund ; and also the annual 
dividend arising from the profits of the book 
concern. Ou^ of the moneys so collected, 
and brought to the respective annual confer- 
ences, let the various allowances agreed upon 
in the fourth sec c on be made up ; but in no 
case shall an allowance be made to any tra- 
velling preacher, who has travelled in any 
circuit where he might* in the judgment of 
the annual conference, have obtained his full 
quarterage, if he had applied for it : and if at 
any conference there remain a surplus after 
making up all such allowances, the confer- 
ence shall send such surplus forward to that 



Sec. 5. Raising Annual Supplies. 175 

conference they judge to be the most neces- 
sitous. 

6. Every annual conference has full liberty 
to adopt and recommend such plans and rules, 
as to them may appear necessary, the more 
effectually to raise supplies for the respective 
allowances. Each annual conference is 
authorized to raise a fund, if they judge it 
proper, subject to its own control, and under 
such regulations as their wisdom may direct, 
for the relief of the distressed, travelling, 
superannuated, and supernumerary preachers, 
their wives, widows, and children, as also for 
missionary purposes. 

7. It shall be the duty of each annual con- 
ference: to take measures, from year to year, 
to raise moneys in every circuit and station 
within its bounds, for the relief of its neces- 
sitous, superannuated, and supernumerary 
ministers, widows, and orphans. And the 
conference shall annually appoint a com- 
mittee to estimate the several sums neces- 
sary to be allowed for the extra expenses of 
such necessitous claimants, who shall be paid 
in proportion to the estimates made and the 
moneys in hand. 

8. If the respective allowances are not 
raised as provided for, the Church shall not 
be accountable for the deficiency, as in a 
case of debt. 



176 Raising Annual Supplies. Part 2. 

9. To defray the expenses of the delegates 
composing the general conference, a collec- 
tion shall be taken up in each circuit and 
station some time previously to the sitting of 
the conference, and the sums so collected 
shall be brought up to the general conference, 
and applied to the object herein contemplated 
in proportion to the expenses of the several 
delegates. 

Quest What advice or direction shall be 
given, concerning the building or renting of 
dwelling houses, for the use of the married 
travelling preachers 1 

Jlnsw. It is recommended by the general 
conference, to the travelling preachers, to 
advise our friends in general to purchase a 
lot of ground in each circuit, and to build a 
preacher's house thereon, and to furnish it 
with, at least, heavy furniture, and to settle 
the same on trustees, appointed by the quar- 
terly meeting conference, according to the 
deed of settlement published in our form of 
discipline, 

2. The general conference recommend to 
all the circuits, in cases where they are not 
able to comply with the above request, to rent 
a house for the married preacher and his 
family, (when such are stationed upon their 
circuits respectively,) and that the annual 
conferences do assist to make up the rents 



Sec. 5. Raising Annual Supplies. 17? 

of such houses as far as they can, when the 
circuit cannot do it. 

The stewards of each circuit and station 
shall be a standing committee (where no 
trustees are constituted for that purpose) to 
provide houses for the families of our married 
preachers, or to assist the preachers to obtain 
houses for themselves when they are appointed 
to labour among thmn. 

3. It shall be the duty of the presiding 
elders and preachers to use their influence 
to carry the above rules, respecting building 
and renting houses for the accommodation of 
preachers and their families, into effect. In 
order to this, each quarterly meeting con- 
ference shall appoint a committee, (unless 
other measures have been adopted,) who, 
with the advice and aid of the preachers and 
presiding elders, shall devise such means as 
may seem fit to raise moneys for that purpose. 
And it is recommended to the annual confer- 
ences to make a special inquiry of their 
members respecting this part of their duty. 

4. Those preachers who refuse to occupy 
the houses which may be provided for them, 
on the stations and circuits, where they are 
from time to time appointed, shall be allowed 
nothing for house rent, nor receive any thing 
more than quarterage for themselves, their 
wives, and children, and their travelling ex- 



178 Raising Animal Supplies, Part 2* 

penses. Nevertheless* this rule shall not 
apply to those preachers whose families are 
either established within the bounds of their 
circuits, or are so situated that in the judg- 
ment of the stewards, or the, above mentioned 
committee, it is not necessary, for the benefit 
of the circuit, to remove them. 

5. It shall be the duty of the said com- 
mittee, or one appointed for that purpose, 
who shall be members of our Church, to 
make an estimate of the amount necessary 
to furnish fuel and table expenses for the 
family or families of preachers stationed with 
them, and the stewards shall provide by such 
means as they may devise, to meet such ex- 
penses, in money or otherwise: provided 
the stewards shall not appropriate the moneys 
collected for the regular quarterly allowance 
of the preachers, to the payment of family 
expenses. 

6. There shall be a meeting in every dis- 
trict, of one steward from each station and 
circuit, to be selected from among the stew- 
ards by the quarterly meeting conference, 
whose duty it shall be, by and with the advice 
of the presiding elder, (who shall preside in 
such meeting,) to take into consideration the 
general state of the district in regard to tem- 
poralities, and to furnish a house, fuel, and 
table expenses, for the presiding elder. 



Sec. 6. Support of Missions. 179 

SECTION VI. 
Support of Missions. 

1. It shall be the duty of each annual 
conference, where missions have been or 
are to be established, to appoint a standing 
committee, to be denominated the mission 
committee, (which shall keep a record of its 
doings, and report the same to its conference,) 
whose duty it shall be, in conjunction with 
the president of the conference, to make an 
estimate of the amount necessary for the 
support of each mission and mission school, 
in addition to the regular allowance of the 
discipline to preachers and their families, 
from year to year ; for which amount the 
president of the conference for the time being, 
shall draw on the treasurer of the society in 
quarterly instalments. 

2. Whenever a mission is to be established 
in any new place, or in any place beyond the 
bounds of an annual conference, either among 
the aborigines of our country or elsewhere, 
it shall be the duty of the bishop making such 
appointment immediately to notify the trea- 
surer of the Missionary Society of the place, 
the number of missionaries to be employed, 
together with the probable amount necessary 
for the support of any such mission, which 
information shall be laid before the managers 



180 Support of Missions. Part 2. 

of the society ; and they shall make an ap- 
propriation according to their judgment, from 
year to year, of the amount called for to sus- 
tain and prosecute the mission or missions 
designated ; for which amount the missionary 
or the superintendent of the mission or mis- 
sions, shall have authority to draw on the 
treasurer of the society in quarterly or half 
yearly instalments. 

3. It is recommended that within the 
bounds of each annual conference there be 
established a conference missionary society, 
auxiliary to the Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, with branches, 
under such regulations as the conferences 
respectively shall prescribe. Each con- 
ference missionary society shall annually 
transmit to the corresponding secretary of 
the parent society a copy of its annual report, 
embracing the operations of its branches, and 
shall also notify the treasurer of the amount 
collected in aid of the missionary cause, 
which amount shall be subject to the order 
of the treasurer of the parent society. 

4. The treasurer of the parent society, 
under the direction of the board of managers, 
shall give information to the bishops annually, 
or oftener, if the board judge it expedient, of 
the state of the funds and the sums which 
may be drawn by them for the missionary 



Sec. 6. Support of Missions. 181 

purposes contemplated by the constitution. 
Agreeably to which information the bishops 
shall have authority to draw upon the trea- 
surer for any sum within the amount desig- 
nated, which the missionary committee of the 
annual conferences respectively shall judge 
necessary for the support of the missionaries 
and of the mission schools under their care. 
Provided always, that the sums so allowed for 
the support of a missionary shall not exceed 
the usual allowance of other itinerant preach- 
ers. The bishops shall always promptly no- 
tify the treasurer of all drafts made by them, 
and shall require regular quarterly communi- 
cations to be made by each of the missionaries 
to the corresponding secretary of the parent 
society, giving information of the state and 
prospects of the several missions in which 
they are employed. No one shall be acknow- 
ledged a missionary, or receive support out of 
the funds of the society, who has not some 
definite field assigned to him, or who could 
not be an effective labourer on a circuit. 

5. In all cases of the appointment of a mis- 
sionary the name of such missionary and the 
district in which he is to labour, together with 
the probable expenses of the mission, shall 
be communicated by the bishop or the mis- 
sion committee of each annual conference, 
to the treasurer of the parent society, that 



182 Chartered Fund. Part 2. 

a proper record of the same may be pre- 
served. 

6. In all places where drafts are drawn in 
favour of any mission, if there be funds in 
the possession of any auxiliary conference 
missionary society, where such mission is 
established, the drafts for the support of the 
mission shall be paid from said funds : if there 
be no auxiliary society, and there be money 
belonging to the book concern, the book 
committee,- or presiding elders, or preachers, 
shall pay the missionary drafts from the book 
money which may be in their possession ; 
which drafts, when paid, shall be transmitted 
to the treasurer at New- York ; and in no 
case, where any such moneys are at com- 
mand, shall the drafts be sent to the treasurer 
in New- York to be paid. 



SECTION VII. 
Of the Chartered Fund. 

Quest. What farther provision shall be 
made for the distressed travelling preachers, 
for the families of travelling preachers, and 
for the superannuated, and worn out preach- 
ers, and the widows and orphans of preachers? 

Answ. There shall be a chartered fund, to 
be supported by the voluntary contributions 



Sec. 7. Chartered Fund. 183 

of our friends : the principal stock of which 
shall be funded under the direction of trus- 
tees, chosen by the general conference, and 
the interest applied under the direction of the 
general conference, according to the follow- 
ing regulations, viz. 

1. The elders and those who have the over- 
sight of circuits, shall be collectors and re- 
ceivers of subscriptions, &c, for this fund. 

2. The money shall, if possible, be con- 
veyed by bills of exchange, or otherwise, 
through the means of the post, to the general 
book steward, who shall pay it to the trustees 
of the fund : otherwise it shall be brought to 
the ensuing annual conference. 

3. The interest shall be divided into twenty- 
two parts, and each of the annual conferences 
shall have authority to draw one twenty-second 
part out of the fund ; and if in one or more 
conferences, a part less than one twenty* 
second be drawn out of the fund in any given 
year, then in such case or cases, the other 
annual conferences, held in the same year, 
shall have authority, if they judge it necessary, 
to draw out of the fund, such surplus of the 
interest which has not been applied by the, 
former conferences : and the bishops shall 
bring the necessary information of the state of 
the interest of the fund, respecting the year in 
question, from conference to conference. 



184 Printing and Part 2. 

4. All drafts on the charter fund shall be 
made on the president of the said fund, by 
order of the annual conference, signed by the 
president, and countersigned by the secretary 
of the said conference. 

5. The money subscribed for the chartered 
fund, may be lodged on proper securities, in 
the states respectively in which it has beensub- 
scribed, under the direction of deputies living 
in such states respectively ; provided, such 
securities and such deputies be proposed, as 
shall be approved of by the trustees in Phila- 
delphia ; and the stock in which it is proposed 
to lodge the money, be sufficiently productive 
to* give satisfaction to the trustees, 



SECTION VIII. 

Of the Printing and Circulating of Books, and of 
the Profits arising therefrom 

1. The principal establishment of the book 
business shall be in the city of New- York ; 
and there shall be such subordinate establish- 
ments, in other places, as the general con- 
ference may deem expedient. 

2. There shall be one editor appointed to 
take charge of the Methodist Magazine and 
Quarterly Review, and all the editorial busi- 



Sec. 8. Circulating of Books. 186 

ness of the book concern, not included in the 
department of our other periodical works. 

There shall be another editor to whose 
superintendency shall be assigned the Chris- 
tian Advocate and Journal and Zion's Herald, 
Youth's Instructer and Sabbath School and 
Bible Class Assistant, Child's Magazine, 
Sunday school books and tracts ; and in 
this department there shall be an assistant 
editor. 

3. There shall be an agent or general book 
steward, and an assistant, who shall act as 
chief clerk, both of whom, together with the 
editors and assistant editor, shall be chosen 
from among the travelling preachers ; and 
by virtue of their appointments they shall all 
be members of the New-York annual con- 
ference, to which, in the interval of the 
general conference, they shall be responsible 
for their conduct in office. And the New- 
York conference, in the interval of the gene- 
ral conference, shall have power, if they deem 
it necessary, by and with the advice and con- 
sent of the bishops and book committee, to 
remove any of them from office ; and in case 
of removal, death, or resignation, to provide 
for the vacancy until the next ensuing general 
conference. No book steward, agent, or 
editor, shall be continued in office for a longer 
term than eight years successively ; and this 



186 Printing and Part 2. 

regulation shall apply to those who are ap- 
pointed as assistants. 

4. The agent or general book steward 
shall have authority to regulate the publi- 
cations, and all other parts of the business of 
the concern, except what belongs to the edi- 
torial departments, as the state of the finances 
will admit and the demands may require. It 
shall be his duty to inform the annual con- 
ferences, if any of the preachers or members 
of the society neglect to make payment. He 
shall also send a copy of the annual exhibit 
to each of the annual conferences, so that 
such exhibit may be laid before the confer- 
ences as early as possible after it shall have 
been prepared. He shall publish such books 
and tracts as are recommended by the general 
conference, and such as may be recommended 
by an annual conference ; and he may reprint 
any book or tract which has been once ap- 
proved and published by us, when in his 
judgment and in the judgment of the editors, 
the same ought to be reprinted : or he may 
publish any new w r ork not before published 
by us, which may be approved by the editors, 
and by the book committee at New- York. 

5. The book committee shall consist of 
seven members, to be chosen annually by the 
New- York annual conference and the three 
editors as herein before provided for. It shall 



Sec. 8. Circulating of Books. 187 

be their duty to examine annually into the 
state of the book concern, to inspect the ac- 
counts of the agents, to make a report thereof 
annually to the New- York conference, and 
to the general conference at its regular ses- 
sions. They shall also attend to such mat- 
ters as may be referred to them by the editors 
or agents, in reference to editing, printing, or 
publishing, and also to co-operate with the 
editor of the Christian Advocate in the se- 
lection of Sunday school books and tracts. 

6. There shall be a book agent, and an 
assistant agent, who shall reside at Cincin- 
nati, and manage the concern in the western 
country, under the direction of the editor, and 
of the book steward at New- York : both of 
whom shall be chosen from among the travel- 
ling preachers : and who by virtue of their 
appointment shall be members of the Ohio 
annual conference, under the same regula- 
tions by which the book steward and editors 
at New- York are members of the New- York 
annual conference : and the Ohio annual con- 
ference shall appoint a standing book com- 
mittee to consist of five members, whose duty 
it shall be to examine the accounts of said 
agents, and report to the said conference an- 
nually : and to the general conference at its 
session : and to give advice in any matters 
in reference to the branch in the west. And 



188 Printing and Part 2. 

in case of the removal, death, or resignation 
of the agent or assistant, the Ohio conference 
shall have authority to appoint a successor 
until the ensuing general conference. 

7. There shall also be a general depository 
for our books, Sunday school books and 
tracts, at New-Orleans, under the charge of 
an agent elected by the general conference 
which shall bear the same relation to the 
general agency in New- York as the branch 
establishment at Cincinnati does, and be un- 
der the same responsibilities ; and the same 
to the Mississippi conference, which that at 
Cincinnati does to the Ohio conference. 

8. No books shall hereafter be issued on 
commission, either from New r -York, Cincin- 
nati, or any other depository or establishment 
under our direction. 

9. Every annual conference shall appoint 
a committee, or committees, to examine the 
accounts of the presiding elders, preachers, 
and book stewards, in their respective dis- 
tricts and circuits. Every presiding elder, 
minister, and preacher, shall do every thing 
in his power to recover all debts due to the 
concern, and also all books belonging to it, 
within the bounds of his charge. If any 
person, preacher, or member, be indebted to 
the book concern, and refuse, or neglect, to 
make payment, or to come to a just settlement, 



Sec. 8. Circulating of Books. 189 

let him be dealt with in the same manner as 
is directed in other cases of debt and disputed 
accounts. See Chap. I, Sec. 9. 

10. At each annual conference next ensu- 
ing the passage of this resolution, the presi- 
ding elders shall deliver into the hands of 
the book agents, (or book committee of such 
conference) for all the books in the several 
circuits and stations in their districts, the re- 
ceipts of those persons in whose care such 
books shall have been left. After the ap- 
pointments for the year ensuing have been 
announced, the agents or book committee 
shall give to each preacher the receipts be- 
longing to his circuit or station, retaining an 
exact account of the amount called for by 
such receipts, which shall be charged against 
said preacher, and accounted for by him at 
the next annual conference ; provided that 
the several presiding elders shall be at equal 
liberty to sell any such books on the same 
terms and principles with other preachers, 
and shall account therefore with the preachers 
to whom they have been charged, or with the 
agents, or the book committees of their re- 
spective conferences. 

11. The profits arising from the book con- 
cern, after a sufficient capital to carry on the 
business is retained, shall be regularly applied 
to the support of the distressed travelling 



190 Circulating of Books. Part 2. 

preachers and their families, the widows and 
orphans of preachers, &c. The general book 
steward shall every year send forward to each 
annual conference, an account of the dividend 
which the several annual conferences may 
draw that year : and each conference may 
draw for its proportionate part, on any per- 
son who has book money in hands, and the 
drafts with the receipt of the conference 
thereon, shall be sent to the general book 
steward, and be placed to the credit of the 
person who paid the same. 

12. Any travelling preacher who may pub- 
lish any work or book of his own, shall be 
responsible to his conference for any obnox- 
ious matter or doctrine therein contained. 

13. No editor, agent, or clerk, employed 
in the book concern, or in any department 
belonging to it, shall be allowed in any case 
to publish or sell books as his own private 
property. 

14. The editors, the general book steward 
and book committee at New- York, shall be 
authorized to adopt such measures as they 
may deem expedient, and as shall be found 
practicable, to secure the premises on Mul- 
berry street for the uses and purposes for 
which the purchase was made, and the build- 
ings erected. 



Sec. 10. Of Slavery. 191 

SECTION IX, 
Local Preachers to have an allowance in given cases, 

1. Whenever a local preacher fills the place 
of a travelling preacher by the approbation of 
the presiding elder, he shall be paid for his 
time, a sum proportional to the allowance of 
a travelling preacher ; which sum shall be 
paid by the circuit at the next quarterly meet- 
ing, if the travelling preacher whose place he 
filled up, were either sick or necessarily ab- 
sent ; or, in other cases, out of the allowance 
of the travelling preacher. 

2. If a local preacher be distressed in his 
temporal circumstances, on account of his 
service in the circuit, he may apply to the quar- 
terly meeting conference, who may give him 
what relief they judge proper, after the allow- 
ance of the travelling preachers and of their 
wives, and all other regular allowances are 
discharged. 

section x. 
Of Slavery 

Quest. What shall be done for the extirpa- 
tion of the evil of slavery ? 

Answ. 1. We declare that we are as much 
as ever convinced of the great evil of slavery : 
therefore no slave holder shall be eligible to 



152 Of Slavery. "Part 2. 

any official station in our church hereafter, 
where the laws of the state in which he lives 
will admit of emancipation, and permit the 
liberated slave to enjoy freedom. 

2. When any travelling preacher becomes 
an owner of a slave or slaves, by any means, 
he shall forfeit his ministerial character in our 
church, unless he execute, if it be practicable, 
a legal emancipation of such slaves, conform- 
ably to the laws of the state in which he lives* 

3. All our preachers shall prudently enforce 
upon our members the necessity of teaching 
their slaves to read the word of God ; and to 
allow them time to attend upon the public 
worship of God on our regular days of divine 
service. 

4. Our coloured preachers and official 
members shall have all the privileges which 
are usual to others in the district and quar- 
terly conferences, where the usages of the 
country do not forbid it. And the presiding 
elder may hold for them a separate district 
conference, where the number of coloured 
local preachers will justify it. 

5. The annual conferences may employ 
coloured preachers to travel and preach where 
their services are judged necessary ; provid- 
ed that no one shall be so employed without 
having been recommended according to the 
form of discipline. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Sec. 1. Of the Origin of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church 5 

Sec. 2. Articles of Religion 7 

Sec. 3. Of the General and Annual Conferences 19 

Sec. 4. Of the Election and Consecration of 

Bishops and of their Duty 25 

Sec. 5. Of the Presiding Elders and of their Duty 28 

Sec. 6. Of the Election and Ordination of travel- 
ling Elders, and of their Duty 31 

Sec. 7. Of the Election and Ordination of travel- 
ling Deacons, and of their Duty 32 

Sec. 8. Of the Method of receiving travelling 

Preachers, and of their Duty 33 

Sec. 9. Of the Duties of those who have the charge 

of Circuits 39 

Sec. 10. Of the Trial of those who think they 
are moved by the Holy Ghost to 
preach 45 . 

Sec. 1 1. Of the matter and manner of Preaching, 

and of other public exercises 46 

Sec. 12. Of the Duty of Preachers to God, them- 
selves, and one another 48 

Sec. 13. Rules by which we should continue, or 

desist from preaching at any place. . . 51 

Sec. 14. Of visiting from house to house ; guard- 
ing against those things that are so 
common to Professors, and enforcing 
Practical Religion 52 



194 CONTENTS. 

See. 15. Of the instruction of Children 59 

Sec. 16. Of employing our time profitably when 
we are not travelling, or engaged in 

public exercises ... 60 

Sec. 17. Of the necessity of union among our- 
selves 62 

Sec. 19. Of the method by which immoral travel- 
ling Ministers or Preachers shall be 
brought to Trial, found guilty, and 
reproved or suspended in the intervals 

of the Conferences .... 63 

Sec. 19. How to provide for the Circuits in time 
of Conference, and to preserve and 

increase the work of God 66 

Sec. 20. Of the Local Preachers 66 

Sec. 21. Of Baptism 71 

Sec. 22. Of the Lord's Supper 72 

Sec. 23. Of Public Worship 72 

Sec. 24. Of the Spirit and Truth of Singing 73 



CHAPTER II. 

Sec. 1. The nature, design, and general rules of 

our United Societies 75 

Sec. 2. Of Class Meetings 8J 

Sec. 3. Of the Band Societies 83 

See. 4. Of the privileges granted to serious per- 
sons who are not of our Church 86 

Sec. 5. Of Marriage 87 

Sec. 6. Of Dress 88 

Sec. 7. Of bringing to Trial, finding guilty, and 
reproving, suspending, or excluding 
disorderly persons from Society and 

Church privileges 89 

Sec. 8. Of the sale and use of spirituous liquors 91 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER III. 

Sacramental Services, fyc. 

Sec. 1. The Order for the administration of the 

Lord's Supper 92 

Sec. 2. The administration of Baptism to infants 102 
The ministration of Baptism to such as 

are of riper years 105 

Sec. 3. The form of solemnization of Matrimony 112 

Sec. 4. The order of the Burial of the Dead. ... 118 



CHAPTER IV. 

The form and manner of making and ordaining 
Bishops, Elders, and Deacons. 

Sec. 1. The form and manner of iv aking Deacons 121 
Sec. 2. The form and manner of ordaining Elders 127 
Sec. 3. The form of ordaining a Bishop 140 



PART SECOND. 

Sec. 1. Of the boundaries of the Annual Con- 
ferences, &c 153 

Sec. 2. Of building Churches, and the order to 

be observed therein 158 

Sec. 3. Of the qualifications, appointment, and 

duty of the Stewards of Circuits .... 167 

Sec. 4. Of the allowance to the Ministers and 
Preachers, and to their Wives, Wi- 
dows, and Children 169 

Sec. 5. Of raising annual supplies for the Propa- 
gation of the Gospel, for the making up 
the allowance of the Preachers, &c. . 171 



196 CONTENTS. 

Sec. 6. Of the support of Missions 1 79 

Sec 7. Of the Chartered Fund 182 

. Sec. 8. Of the Printing and Circulating of Books, 

and of the Profits arising therefrom. . 184 
Sec. 9. Local Preachers to have an allowance in 

given cases 191 

Sec. 10. Of Slavery 191 







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(724)779-2111 



LIBRARY 




